7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Sydney Plumber Blocked Drains on 22 Mar 2026

The toilet is a ubiquitous fixture in the home that we use daily. The temptation is to consider its use as something we take for granted, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a trash can. There are certain things that should not to be flushed into the toilet as they can cause blockage inside the sewer or damage to sewer pipes.

Key Takeaways

  • Do not flush certain things in the toilet, as they could block the drain or harm to pipes in the sewer.
  • Seven household items that you shouldn’t flush down the drain are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking grease
    • Feminine hygiene products (tampons and sanitary pads)
    • Medicines
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Flushing any of these items could result in blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system, which will result in an unforetold cost to you.
  • Sydney Plumber Blocked Drains offers unblocking blocked drains and drain clearing services, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining.

Here are seven household items that you should never flush down the drain.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes can be convenient but they don’t dissolve like toilet paper and can clog your plumbing system. You should dispose of them in the trash instead.

2. Condoms

Toilet paper that contains condoms could cause blockages in both your plumbing system and wastewater treatment facilities.

3. cooking grease and oil

Oil and grease must be removed from the container and thrown away in the garbage, since they’ll get hard and cause obstructions in your drains or pipes.

4. Feminine hygiene products

Tampons and sanitary pads are often marketed as "flushable, " but flushing them can cause issues later on when they mix with other things to create a nasty blockage.

5. Medicines

The flushing of medications should not occur into the toilet as they could pollute our water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is made to be strong that means it will not fall apart in water, leading to potential blockages in your pipes.

7. Paper towels

Contrary to toilet paper papers have a stronger weave which will make them less likely to degrade quickly after being they’re wet. They can easily cause blockages.

If you flush one of these seven things will eventually lead to blocked drains and damaged pipes within your plumbing system which can result in an unexpected expense to the homeowner. Be mindful of what 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.

FAQs

Are feminine hygiene products flushed in the bathroom causing damage? cause damage to my pipes?

Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not disintegrate in water, and could block your sewer or pipes.

Are flushable wipes actually flushable?

Yes, many "flushable" wipes do not necessarily break down quickly and can cause clogs in your pipes.

Can I put baby wipes in the toilet?

No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the drain since they are not able to dissolve well and can cause blockages.

Are paper towels suitable to flush?

No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper, and they will not break down so easily, resulting in the possibility of clogging your plumbing system.

What happens to medications? Do I have to flush them in the toilet?

No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways. Therefore, it’s crucial to dispose of them correctly by taking these to designated location for disposal.

If you are dealing with blockage of your drain do not hesitate to call our professional plumbing service for assistance at Sydney Plumber Blocked Drains . We provide unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to make sure your home isn’t impacted by drainage problems. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

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