7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing on 18 Sep 2024

The toilet is a standard fixture in our homes that we regularly use. We tend to think of its convenience for granted, however it’s crucial to remember that it’s not a garbage can. Certain things shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet since they can cause blockage inside the sewer or damage to sewer pipes.

Key Takeaways

  • Do not flush certain things down the toilet as they could cause blockages in the drain or damages to the pipes.
  • Seven household items that you should never to flush down the toilet are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking oil, as well as cooking grease
    • Products for feminine hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
    • Meds
    • 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 unimaginable expense to you.
  • Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining.

Seven household objects you should never flush down the drain.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes are a convenient option but they don’t dissolve like toilet paper and could clog pipes. You should dispose of them in the garbage instead.

2. Condoms

Flushing condoms down the toilet can cause blockages to both your plumbing system and wastewater treatment facilities.

3. Food preparation grease and oil

Oil and grease should be removed from the container, and then disposed of in the trash, as they will harden and cause blockages in your drains and pipes.

4. Feminine hygiene products

Tampons and sanitary pads are typically marketed in the form of "flushable, " but flushing them could cause trouble later on when they mix with other things to create a nasty blockage.

5. Medications

Medications should never be flushed in the toilet since they could contaminate water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is made to be strong that means it will not break apart when wet, which can lead to possible blockages in your pipes.

7. Paper towels

As opposed to toilet paper Paper towels have a thicker weave, which makes them less likely to degrade quickly after being wet, which means they won’t easily cause blockages.

If you flush any of the seven items will ultimately lead to blocked drains as well as damaged pipelines within your plumbing system that will result in a significant 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 Questions

Can flushing feminine hygiene products cause damage to my pipes?

Yes. The products used to clean your female hygiene don’t break down in water and could cause blockages in your sewer or pipes.

Are flushable wipes really flushable?

There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes don’t disintegrate easily and could cause clogs to your pipes.

Do I have to flush baby wipes down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes should not be flushed down the drain since they won’t dissolve quickly and could cause blockages.

Are paper towels safe to flush?

No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and will not break down with the same ease, resulting in possible clogs in your plumbing system.

What about medications? Can I flush those down the toilet?

No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways, so it’s essential to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking them to a designated drop-off location.

If you’re dealing with an unblocking drain do not be afraid to contact our professional plumbing services via Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing . We offer unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure your home is not impacted by issues with drainage. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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