7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
Toilets are a common home appliance that we are using every day. We tend to think of the convenience of it as a given, but it’s important to remember that it’s no garbage can. There are some things that should never be flushed down the toilet as they can cause blockage from the pipes or damage in sewer lines.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t flush certain items down the toilet as they could block the drain, or cause harm to pipes in the sewer.
- Seven household items you should never to flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking fat
- Feminine hygiene products (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Medical Treatment
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Cleaning any of these items could result in blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines in your home’s plumbing system. This can result in an unforetold cost to you.
- Sydney Plumber Blocked Drains offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.
There are 7 household things you shouldn’t flush in the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes are a convenient option however, they do not break down like toilet paper, and they can block water lines. Put them in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Flushing condoms down the toilet could cause blockages in both the plumbing in your home and the wastewater treatment plant.
3. The cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease should be put in a container before throwing it away in the garbage, since they will harden and cause obstructions in your drains, or pipes.
4. Female hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pad are usually marketed by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them can cause problems later when they mix with other things to cause a terrible clog.
5. Medicines
Medications should never be flushed down the toilet because they can be a source of contamination for water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is created to be tough and durable, meaning it won’t be able to break when wet, which can lead to the possibility of clogging your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Contrary to toilet paper papers have a stronger weave that will make them less likely to degrade quickly after being wet, meaning they can easily blockage.
If you flush any of the seven items could result in blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines within your home’s plumbing system that will result in a significant expense to you. Be 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. |
FAQ
Are feminine hygiene products flushed in the bathroom causing damage? actually harm my pipes?
Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not disintegrate in water, and can cause blockages in your sewer pipes.
Are flushable wipes actually flushable?
No, many "flushable" wipes don’t really break down and can cause clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never be flushed into the toilet as they do not dissolve easily and can cause obstructions.
Are paper towels okay to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and don’t break down as quickly, causing the possibility of clogging in your plumbing system.
What about medication? Can I flush those in the toilet?
No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways, which is why it’s important to dispose of the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing the containers to an appropriate drop-off location.
If you are dealing with the problem of a blocked drain Don’t be afraid to contact our professional plumbing service via Sydney Plumber Blocked Drains . We can help you unblock blocked drains and drain clearing CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to ensure your home is not impacted by issues with drainage. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Additional Information
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