7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a ubiquitous household fixture that we all regularly use. It’s easy to take its use as a given, but it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s not a trash can. There are some things that shouldn’t ever be flushed away down the toilet as they can cause blockage from the pipes or damage for sewer drains.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid flushing certain things in the bathroom because they could cause blockages in the drain or harm to pipes in the sewer.
- Seven household items you should never flush down the toilet include:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking fat
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Medicines
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Doing this can result in blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system which comes at an unimaginable cost to you.
- Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains and drain clearing services, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining.
Seven household objects that you shouldn’t flush in the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes may seem convenient however, they do not break down as easily as toilet paper, and they can block the plumbing in your home. Throw them away in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet can lead to blockages in both the plumbing in your home and wastewater treatment plants.
3. Cooking grease and oil
Grease and oil should be removed from a container before throwing it away in the trash, because they’ll get hard and cause obstructions in your drains or pipes.
4. Produits for female hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pads are often advertised to be "flushable, " but flushing them could cause trouble later on when they combine with other items to cause a terrible obstruction.
5. Medicines
Medicines should not be flushed into the toilet as they can contaminate our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is made to be durable, which means it won’t fall apart in water, leading to possible blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Unlike with toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave that makes them less likely to deteriorate quickly once they are wet. This means that they will not easily cause blockages.
If you flush any of these seven items will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged pipelines within your home’s plumbing system that will result in a significant price to the homeowner. Stay mindful of what you flush 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. |
FAQs
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed can cause harm to my pipes?
Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not disintegrate in water, and can cause blockages in your sewer or pipes.
Are flushable wipes actually flushable?
Yes, many "flushable" wipes don’t necessarily break down quickly and can lead to clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to use baby wipes to flush them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never be flushed into the toilet since they won’t dissolve easily and can cause blockages.
Are paper towels safe to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper, and they aren’t broken down as quickly, causing possible clogs in the plumbing system.
What about medications? Can I flush them into the toilet?
No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways. Therefore, it’s crucial to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking your medications to the designated place for drop-off.
If you find yourself dealing with a blocked drain, don’t be afraid to contact our professional plumbing assistance by calling Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumbing . We offer unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure your home is not impacted by plumbing issues. Call us today for an appointment.
Additional Information
- The Dangers of Neglecting a Blocked Drain and What You Should Do
- DIY Drain Cleaning: A Comprehensive Guide on Handling Common Blockages
- Don't Let Your Blocked Drains Cause You Trouble
- Pinpointing the Culprits of Drain Obstructions
- How to Choose between Different Types of Pipe Relining Materials (And Which One Is Right for You)
- From Blocked to Unclogged: A Step-by-Step Tutorial to Fix Your Shower Drain
- Say Goodbye to Frequent Clogging: Reasons to Invest in Pipe Relining Services
- Discover the optimal plumber for your backed up drain emergency
- Don't Let These Common Mistakes Clog Your Pipes
- Removing Blocked Pipes: An Exhaustive Guide for Plumbers
