7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbers on 10 Nov 2025

The toilet is a standard home appliance that we are using every day. The temptation is to consider its utility as something we take for granted, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a garbage can. There are certain items that should not be flushed down the drain since they can cause blockage inside the sewer or damage in sewer lines.

Key Takeaways

  • Do not flush certain things in the toilet, as they can cause blockages in the drain, or cause damages to the pipes.
  • Seven household items that you shouldn’t flush down the drain are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking grease
    • Products for female hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
    • Medicines
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Cleaning any of these items could result in blockages in drains or damaged pipelines in your home’s plumbing system. This can result in an unforetold cost to you.
  • Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbers offers unblocking blocked drains Drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining.

There are 7 household things you shouldn’t flush down the toilet.

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 garbage instead.

2. Condoms

Toilet paper that contains condoms can result in blockages of both the plumbing in your home and the wastewater treatment plant.

3. Cooking grease and oil

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

4. Female hygiene products

Tampons and sanitary pad are usually marketed by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them will only lead to troubles later on if they are combined with other items and cause a obstruction.

5. Medicines

Medicines should not be flushed through the toilet, as they can contaminate our water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is crafted to be strong that means it will not split when wet, which can lead to the possibility of clogging your pipes.

7. Paper towels

Unlike with toilet paper, Paper towels have a thicker weave that will make them less likely to deteriorate quickly once they are wet. This means that they will not easily cause blockages.

In the end, flushing one of these seven things could result in blocked drains or damaged sewer pipes in your plumbing system which can result in an unexpected price to you. Stay 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.

Frequently Asked Question

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

Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not disintegrate in water, and may cause blockages to the sewer or your pipes.

Are flushable wipes really flushable?

Many "flushable" wipes don’t necessarily break down quickly and can cause clogs in your pipes.

Do I have to flush baby wipes down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes should never be flushed down the toilet because they don’t dissolve easily and can cause blockages.

Are paper towels safe to flush?

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

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

No. Medications can contaminate our waterways, so it’s crucial to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking your medications to the designated place for drop-off.

If you’re faced with a blocked drain Don’t hesitate to contact our professional plumbing service for assistance at Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbers . We offer services to clear blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to make sure your home isn’t impacted by drain issues. Call us today for an appointment.

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