7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
Toilets are a typical household fixture that we all utilize every day. We tend to think of its utility as something we take for granted, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a garbage can. There are certain things that should never go down the toilet because they can cause obstruction inside the sewer or damage to sewer pipes.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t flush certain items in the toilet, as they could block the drain or damage to sewer pipes.
- Seven household items that you should never flush down the drain are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking grease
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Medical Treatment
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Cleaning any of these items could result in blockages in drains or damaged pipes within your plumbing system which comes at an expense that is unimaginable to you.
- Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbers offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining.
These are the seven items in your home should not be flushed down the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes are a convenient option however they don’t break down like toilet paper and can clog your plumbing system. You should dispose of them in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Flushing condoms down the toilet could cause blockages in both the plumbing in your home and wastewater treatment plants.
3. Cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease should be disposed of in a container, then thrown in the trash, as they will harden and cause obstructions in your drains or pipes.
4. Produits for female hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pad are usually advertised as "flushable, " but flushing them could cause problems later when they combine with other items to form a nasty blockage.
5. Medicines
Medicines should not be flushed in the toilet since they could pollute our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is designed to be strong and durable, meaning it won’t fall apart in water, leading to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.
7. Paper towels
In contrast to toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave that means they are less likely to degrade quickly after being wet, meaning they can easily cause blockages.
In the end, flushing any of these items will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipes in your plumbing system which comes at an unforetold expense to the homeowner. Be aware of the things 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. |
Frequently Asked Question
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed can cause harm to my pipes?
Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not disintegrate in water, and could block your sewer pipes.
Are flushable wipes really flushable?
Many "flushable" wipes do not disintegrate easily and may cause clogs in your pipes.
Can I flush baby wipes down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never be flushed into the toilet since they are not able to dissolve easily and could cause blockages.
Are paper towels suitable to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper, and they don’t break down as easily, leading to the possibility of clogging your plumbing system.
What happens to medications? Do I have to flush them into the toilet?
No. Medications can contaminate our waterways. Therefore, it’s crucial to dispose of the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing the containers to an appropriate location for disposal.
If you find yourself dealing with a blocked drain do not be afraid to contact our professional plumbing solutions for assistance at Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbers . We offer unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to make sure your home is free of drainage problems. Call us now to make an appointment.
Additional Information
- End Clogged Drains Now: Specialist Hacks to Test Right Now
- DIY Drain Cleaning: How to Safely Tackle Clogged Drains
- Investigating the Root Causes that Result in Blocked Drains
- Why Trenchless Pipe Relining is the Future of Condominium Plumbing
- Efficient Plumbing Techniques for Dealing with Blocked Pipes
- What to Know about Pipe Relining Services for Blocked Drains
- Instant Fixes for a Clogged Drain: Tips and Tricks
- Saving Time and Money with CCTV Drain Inspection for Drain Clearing
- Prevent Expensive Repairs with Regular Drain Maintenance
- When to Schedule a Professional Drain Cleaning Service
