7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing on 14 Jan 2026

Toilets are a typical household fixture that we all are using every day. There’s a tendency to accept its use as a given, but it’s crucial to remember that it’s not a garbage can. There are some things that shouldn’t to be flushed into the drain since they can cause blockage inside the sewer or damage the sewer pipe.

Key Takeaways

  • Don’t flush certain items down the toilet as they could cause blockages in the drain or harm to pipes in the sewer.
  • Seven household items you shouldn’t flush down the drain are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking grease
    • Feminine hygiene products (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
    • Meds
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Doing this will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines in your home’s plumbing system which comes at an expense that is unimaginable to you.
  • Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains Drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.

There are 7 household things that should not be flushed into the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes might seem useful however they don’t break down as easily as toilet paper and can clog pipes. You should dispose of them in the garbage instead.

2. Condoms

Toilet paper that contains condoms can cause blockages to both the plumbing in your home and wastewater treatment plants.

3. The cooking grease and oil

Oil and grease must be removed from a container and thrown away in the trash, because they will harden and cause obstructions in your drains or pipes.

4. Feminine hygiene products

Tampons and sanitary pads are often marketed by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them could cause issues later on when they join with other products to cause a terrible blockage.

5. Medications

Medicines should not be flushed through the toilet, as they could pollute our water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is made to be sturdy that means it will not split in water, causing the possibility of blockages to your pipes.

7. Paper towels

Unlike with toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave that means they are less likely to deteriorate quickly once they’re wet. They can easily blockage.

In the end, flushing any of these seven items will ultimately lead to blocked drains as well as damaged pipes within the plumbing system of your home, that will result in a significant price to the homeowner. Be 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.

Common Questions & Answers

Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed cause damage to my pipes?

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

Can flushable wipes be truly flushable?

Yes, many "flushable" wipes don’t disintegrate easily and can cause clogs in your pipes.

Can I wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the drain because they don’t dissolve easily and can cause obstructions.

Do paper towels need to be used to flush?

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

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

No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways. It’s vital to dispose the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing them to a designated drop-off point.

If you’re dealing with blockage of your drain do not hesitate to call our professional plumbing assistance by calling Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing . We provide unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection as well as pipe relining services to make sure your home is not impacted by plumbing issues. Call us today for an appointment.

Additional Information

Our 5 Star Service Promise to You

Sydney Drain Plumbing Services

Are you experiencing a clogged toilet, blocked shower drain, overflowing drains or an issue with your kitchen sink? We can help you sort out your drain blockage problem quickly and provide the following services:

  • CCTV Drain Inspections
  • Drain Clearing & Drain Cleanin
  • Drain Repairs
  • Pipe Relining
  • Blocked Stormwater Drains
  • Blocked Sewer Drains & Blocked Pipes
  • Blocked Sinks & Blocked Toilets
  • Clogged or Blocked Shower Drain

Clearing blocked drains can be difficult and it’s best to get a professional plumbing service involved to tackle it for you, To get your blocked drain in Sydney cleared today, contact Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing now and speak to one of our friendly team members.

8 Reasons To Hire Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing

  • 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week
  • Price Up-Front, No Hidden Fees
  • Prices You Can Trust
  • Quality Workmanship Guaranteed
  • Great Reviews & Reputation
  • We’re Personable & Friendly
  • Experienced & Licenced Team
  • Get a Quote With No Obligation

We Provide 24/7 Emergency Plumbing

No one ever expects to experience a plumbing emergency, but when it does happen, you need a reliable plumbing service that can help you resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

At Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing, we are always here for our customers, day or night, weekends or holidays. We understand that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, and we are always prepared to help.

If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, please do not hesitate to call us. We will dispatch one of our experienced plumbers to your home or business as soon as possible.

We will work diligently to resolve the issue and get your life back to normal as quickly as possible, contact us today.

Blocked Drains

Blocked Drains

Drain Inspection

Drain Inspection

Drain Cleaning

Drain Cleaning

Drain Repairs

Drain Repairs

About Us &

What We Do

When it comes to plumbing, you want to make sure you’re working with a qualified professional. At our company, we are licensed and insured professionals who are dedicated to providing quality plumbing services.

We’re here to help with all of your plumbing needs, such as blocked drains, CCTV drain inspections, drain repairs and pipe relining.

We understand that plumbing problems can be disruptive and expensive. That’s why we offer 24×7 emergency service, so you can get the help you need when you need it most.

We also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our work, so you can be confident that you’re making the best decision for your home.

Identify tree roots in your pipes with our cctv inspections and nabish them from your drains with our pip repairs and pipe relining.

Blocked Drain, CCTV Inspections & Pipe Relining
Make an Enquiry

Request a Quote

Fill out the form below to get in touch or call us today on
1300 915 523