7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumber on 13 Dec 2025

Toilets are a typical household fixture that we all are using every day. The temptation is to consider its utility for granted, however it’s crucial to remember that it’s not a garbage can. There are certain things that shouldn’t ever be flushed away down the toilet because they can cause obstruction inside the sewer or damage for sewer drains.

Key Takeaways

  • Avoid flushing certain things in the bathroom because they can cause blockages in the drain or damages to the pipes.
  • Seven household items you should never to flush down the toilet are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking oil, as well as cooking grease
    • Products for female hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
    • Medicines
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • The act of flushing any of these items can result in blocked drains or damaged sewer pipes within your plumbing system, which will result in unimaginable expense to you.
  • Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.

These are the seven items in your home that should not be flushed into the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes may seem convenient however, they do not dissolve like toilet paper, and they can block pipes. Put them in the garbage instead.

2. Condoms

Flushing condoms down the toilet can cause blockages to both your plumbing system and the wastewater treatment plant.

3. cooking grease and oil

Oil and grease must be put in a container before throwing it away in the trash, as they can harden and cause obstructions in your drains or pipes.

4. Products for feminine hygiene

Tampons and sanitary pad are usually advertised by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them is not likely to cause trouble later on when they mix with other things to create a nasty blockage.

5. Medications

Medications should never be flushed into the toilet as they could pollute our water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is made to be tough, which means it won’t be able to break in water, causing the possibility of clogging your pipes.

7. Paper towels

Unlike with toilet paper, Paper towels have a thicker weave that makes them less likely to degrade quickly after being wet, which means they won’t quickly cause blockages.

In conclusion, flushing any of these seven items will eventually lead to blocked drains as well as damaged pipes in your plumbing system which comes at an unforetold cost to you. Be aware of the things 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

Can flushing feminine hygiene products really damage my pipes?

Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not dissolve in water and can cause blockages in your pipes or sewer system.

Can flushable wipes be truly flushable?

No, many "flushable" wipes don’t disintegrate easily and could cause clogs to your pipes.

Do I have to use baby wipes to flush them down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed into the toilet as they do not dissolve easily and could cause obstructions.

Are paper towels suitable to flush?

No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and will not break down as quickly, causing potential clogs in the plumbing system.

What happens to medications? Can I flush them into the toilet?

No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways, which is why it’s vital to dispose them in a safe manner by taking these to designated location for disposal.

If you are dealing with an unblocking drain do not hesitate to contact our professional plumbing services via Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumber . We offer unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to make sure your home isn’t impacted by plumbing issues. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Additional Information

Our 5 Star Service Promise to You

Melbourne Drain Plumbing Services

Are you experiencing a clogged toilet, blocked shower drain, overflowing drains or an issue with your kitchen sink? We can help you sort out your drain blockage problem quickly and provide the following services:

  • CCTV Drain Inspections
  • Drain Clearing & Drain Cleanin
  • Drain Repairs
  • Pipe Relining
  • Blocked Stormwater Drains
  • Blocked Sewer Drains & Blocked Pipes
  • Blocked Sinks & Blocked Toilets
  • Clogged or Blocked Shower Drain

Clearing blocked drains can be difficult and it’s best to get a professional plumbing service involved to tackle it for you, To get your blocked drain in Melbourne cleared today, contact Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumber now and speak to one of our friendly team members.

8 Reasons To Hire Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumber

  • 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week
  • Price Up-Front, No Hidden Fees
  • Prices You Can Trust
  • Quality Workmanship Guaranteed
  • Great Reviews & Reputation
  • We’re Personable & Friendly
  • Experienced & Licenced Team
  • Get a Quote With No Obligation

We Provide 24/7 Emergency Plumbing

No one ever expects to experience a plumbing emergency, but when it does happen, you need a reliable plumbing service that can help you resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

At Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumber, we are always here for our customers, day or night, weekends or holidays. We understand that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, and we are always prepared to help.

If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, please do not hesitate to call us. We will dispatch one of our experienced plumbers to your home or business as soon as possible.

We will work diligently to resolve the issue and get your life back to normal as quickly as possible, contact us today.

Blocked Drains

Blocked Drains

Drain Inspection

Drain Inspection

Drain Cleaning

Drain Cleaning

Drain Repairs

Drain Repairs

About Us &

What We Do

When it comes to plumbing, you want to make sure you’re working with a qualified professional. At our company, we are licensed and insured professionals who are dedicated to providing quality plumbing services.

We’re here to help with all of your plumbing needs, such as blocked drains, CCTV drain inspections, drain repairs and pipe relining.

We understand that plumbing problems can be disruptive and expensive. That’s why we offer 24×7 emergency service, so you can get the help you need when you need it most.

We also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our work, so you can be confident that you’re making the best decision for your home.

Identify tree roots in your pipes with our cctv inspections and nabish them from your drains with our pip repairs and pipe relining.

Blocked Drain, CCTV Inspections & Pipe Relining
Make an Enquiry

Request a Quote

Fill out the form below to get in touch or call us today on
0480 024 767