7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a ubiquitous fixture in the home that we use daily. The temptation is to consider its use for granted, however it’s vital to remember that it’s no garbage can. There are certain things that should not ever be flushed away down the toilet as they can cause blockage inside the sewer or damage the sewer pipe.
Key Takeaways
- Be careful not to flush certain items down the toilet as they could block the drain, or cause damage to sewer pipes.
- Seven household items you should never flush down the drain are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking fat
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Medicines
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- The act of flushing any of these items can lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipelines in your home’s plumbing system, which will result in unimaginable expense to you.
- Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services.
Here are seven household items that you should never flush down the drain.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes may seem convenient however, they do not disintegrate like toilet paper. They can also clog your plumbing system. You should dispose of them in the trash instead.
2. Condoms
The flushing of condoms in the toilet could cause blockages in both your plumbing system and wastewater treatment facilities.
3. cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease should be removed from the container before throwing it away in the trash, as they can harden and cause blockages in your drains and pipes.
4. Feminine hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pads are typically marketed by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them is not likely to cause trouble later on when they combine with other items and cause a obstruction.
5. Medications
Medicines should not be flushed into the toilet as they could pollute our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is crafted to be tough and durable, meaning it won’t be able to break when wet, which can lead to possible blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Contrary to toilet paper the paper towels have a more dense weave that will make them less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, meaning they can quickly cause blockages.
If you flush any of these seven items can lead to blocked drains or damaged pipelines within your home’s plumbing system which will incur a huge cost to you. Stay mindful of what you put down the drain.
| 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
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed actually harm my pipes?
Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not dissolve in water and could block your sewer pipes.
Are flushable wipes actually flushable?
No, many "flushable" wipes do not actually break down easily and can cause clogs in your pipes.
Can I put baby wipes in the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never be flushed into the toilet as they do not dissolve well and can cause obstructions.
Are paper towels okay to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and don’t break down as quickly, causing the possibility of clogging your plumbing system.
What about medications? Can I flush them down the toilet?
No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways. It’s crucial to dispose of them correctly by taking the containers to an appropriate drop-off point.
If you’re dealing with an unblocking drain Don’t delay in calling our professional plumbing solutions for assistance at Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing . We provide unblocking blocked drains and drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to make sure your home is free of plumbing issues. Call us today for an appointment.
Additional Information
- The Dangers of Neglecting a Blocked Drain and What You Should Do
- Prevent Expensive Repairs with Regular Drain Maintenance
- The Most Complete Guide to Clearing Clogged Drains: What Plumbers Utilize
- CCTV Drain Inspection: A Detailed Guide on What It Is and How It Works
- Top Reasons to Avoid DIY Drain Unblocking
- Keeping Costly Drain Repairs at Bay with Routine Inspections
- The Benefits of CCTV Drain Inspection: Beyond Unclogging Pipes
- Delving into Reasons for Clogged Drains
- A Guide to Locating and Pinpointing a Obstructed Pipe
- Why You Need CCTV Drain Inspection Services
