7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumber on 29 Aug 2024

Toilets are a typical household fixture that we all utilize every day. We tend to think of its utility for granted, however it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s a toilet, not a garbage can. There are certain things that shouldn’t to be flushed into the drain since they can cause blockage inside the sewer or damage for sewer drains.

Key Takeaways

  • Do not flush certain things into the toilet because they could cause blockages in the drain or the damage of sewer lines.
  • Seven household items that you should never flush down the toilet are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking grease
    • Products for female hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
    • Medicines
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Flushing any of these items will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines within your home’s plumbing system. This can result in unimaginable expense to you.
  • Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining.

There are 7 household things you should never flush in the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes might seem useful however, they do not break down like toilet paper and could clog pipes. You should dispose of them in the trash instead.

2. Condoms

Flushing condoms down the toilet can lead to blockages in both the plumbing in your home and the wastewater treatment plant.

3. The cooking grease and oil

Grease and oil should be put in a container, and then disposed of in the trash, as they will harden and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.

4. Produits for female hygiene

Tampons and sanitary pads are frequently marketed in the form of "flushable, " but flushing them can cause issues later on when they join with other products to form a nasty obstruction.

5. Medications

Medicines should not be flushed in the toilet since they can contaminate our water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is created to be sturdy that means it will not fall apart when wet, which can lead to possible blockages in your pipes.

7. Paper towels

In contrast to toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave, which makes them less likely to degrade quickly after being wet, which means they won’t quickly cause blockages.

The bottom line is that flushing any of the seven items will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged pipes in your plumbing system which will incur a huge cost to you. Be mindful of the items you pour down your 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.

Common Questions and Answers

Does flushing feminine hygiene products really damage my pipes?

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

Are flushable wipes really flushable?

No, many "flushable" wipes do not necessarily break down quickly and could cause clogs to your pipes.

Can I flush baby wipes down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet because they don’t dissolve easily and can cause obstructions.

Are paper towels okay to flush?

No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper, and they do not break down so easily, resulting in possible clogs in the plumbing system.

What happens to medications? Can I flush those through the toilet?

No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways. It’s important to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking these to designated location for disposal.

If you are dealing with an unblocking drain do not be afraid to contact our professional plumbing solutions via Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumber . We provide unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure that your home is free of drain issues. Call us now to make an appointment.

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