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 its utility for granted, but it’s important to remember that it’s no garbage can. There are some things that shouldn’t be flushed down the drain since they can cause blockage inside the sewer or damage to sewer pipes.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t flush certain items into the toilet because they could block the drain, or cause harm to pipes in the sewer.
- Seven household items that you should never flush down the toilet include:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking fat
- Feminine hygiene products (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Medications
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Doing this will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipes within your plumbing system. This will come at unimaginable expense to you.
- Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbers offers unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.
Seven household objects that you shouldn’t flush into the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes are a convenient option, but they do not break down like toilet paper. They can also clog pipes. Throw them away in the trash instead.
2. Condoms
Flushing condoms down the toilet could cause blockages in both the plumbing in your home and wastewater treatment plants.
3. Food preparation grease and oil
Grease and oil must be removed from a container, and then disposed of in the trash, as they will harden and cause obstructions in your drains, or pipes.
4. Produits for female hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pads are often advertised by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them is not likely to cause problems later when they join with other products to form a nasty obstruction.
5. Medications
The flushing of medications should not occur in the toilet since they can contaminate our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is crafted to be tough, which means it won’t break apart when wet, which can lead to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.
7. Paper towels
As opposed to toilet paper Paper towels have a thicker weave, which will make them less likely to deteriorate quickly once they are wet. This means that they will not quickly cause blockages.
If you flush any of these items will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged pipelines within your home’s plumbing system which will incur a huge price to you. 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. |
FAQ
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed really damage my pipes?
Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not break down in water and can cause blockages in the sewer or your pipes.
Are flushable wipes really flushable?
No, many "flushable" wipes do not disintegrate easily and can lead to clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to put baby wipes in the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never be flushed down the toilet since they are not able to dissolve quickly and could cause obstructions.
Are paper towels safe to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and do not break down so easily, resulting in potential clogs in your plumbing system.
What happens to medications? Do I have to flush them into the toilet?
No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways. It’s essential to dispose of the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing the containers to an appropriate drop-off location.
If you are dealing with a blocked drain Don’t hesitate to call our professional plumbing solutions for assistance at Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbers . We can help you unblock blocked drains and drain clearing CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to ensure your home isn’t impacted by issues with drainage. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Additional Information
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- Problems with Blocked Drains: Plumbing Tips and Solutions
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