7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a standard fixture in our homes that we regularly use. It’s easy to take its convenience for granted, but it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s a toilet, not a garbage can. Certain things shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet because they could cause blockage in the drain or damage to sewer pipes.
Key Takeaways
- Do not flush certain things down the toilet as they could block the drain, or cause damages to the pipes.
- Seven household items you shouldn’t flush down the toilet include:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking oil, as well as cooking grease
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Meds
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Flushing any of these items could result in blockages in drains or damaged pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system, which will result in an unimaginable cost to you.
- Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.
Seven household objects you shouldn’t flush down the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes may seem convenient however they don’t dissolve like toilet paper and can clog pipes. Dispose of them in the trash instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet could cause blockages in both your home’s plumbing and the wastewater treatment plant.
3. Food preparation grease and oil
Grease and oil must be put in a container before throwing it away in the garbage bin, as they can harden and cause obstructions in your drains, or pipes.
4. Produits for female hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pads are often marketed to be "flushable, " but flushing them could cause trouble later on when they join with other products and cause a obstruction.
5. Medications
Medicines should not be flushed into the toilet as they can contaminate our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is crafted to be sturdy so it won’t break apart in water, leading to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Unlike with toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave which helps them to break down quickly when wet, which means they won’t easily blockage.
The bottom line is that flushing one of these seven things will eventually lead to blocked drains as well as damaged pipelines within your plumbing system which can result in an unexpected price to you. Stay mindful of what you send down the toilet.
| Item | Reason for not Flushing |
|---|---|
| Baby wipes | Do not break down like toilet paper and can clog your plumbing system. Dispose of them in the trash instead. |
| Condoms | Leads to blockages both at home’s plumbing and treatment plants. |
| Cooking grease and oil | Will harden and cause blockages in your drains or pipes. |
| Feminine hygiene products | Combining with other items creates a nasty clog despite being marketed as "flushable". |
| Medications | Can contaminate our water sources. |
| Dental floss | Designed to be strong, leading to potential blockages in pipes. |
| Paper towels | Less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, easily causing blockages unlike with toilet paper. |
Frequently Asked Question
Are feminine hygiene products flushed in the bathroom causing damage? really damage my pipes?
Yes. The products used to clean your female hygiene don’t dissolve in water and may cause blockages to your sewer pipes.
Are flushable wipes truly flushable?
Yes, many "flushable" wipes do not necessarily break down quickly and may cause clogs in your pipes.
Can I wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should not be flushed down the drain as they do not dissolve easily and could cause blockages.
Are paper towels okay to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and do not break down as easily, leading to potential clogs in your plumbing system.
What happens to medications? Can I flush those down the toilet?
No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways, which is why it’s crucial to dispose of the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing them to a designated drop-off location.
If you are dealing with a blocked drain do not delay in calling our professional plumbing service by calling Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumber . We offer unblocking blocked drains as well as drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure your home is free of plumbing issues. Call us today for an appointment.
Additional Information
- Examining the Reasons Behind Blocked Drains
- Top Reasons to Avoid DIY Drain Unblocking
- Don’t Get Caught Unprepared! What You Need to Do Before a CCTV Drain Inspection
- Is It Time for a CCTV Drain Inspection? Here's What You Need to Know
- Top Ways to Avoid Drain Cleaning Emergencies
- Understanding CCTV Drain Inspection and the Benefits for Your Home
- The Pros and Cons of Clearing Blocked Drains Yourself or Hiring a Professional
- Say farewell to clogged drains with these most effective solutions
- Reasons Why CCTV Drain Inspection is a Must Before Purchasing a Property
- Clearing Obstructed Drains: An Exhaustive Handbook for Plumbers
