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 fixture in the home that we regularly use. There’s a tendency to accept its convenience for granted, but it’s crucial to remember that it’s not a trash can. Certain things shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet as they can cause blockage from the pipes or damage the sewer pipe.

Key Takeaways

  • Don’t flush certain items into the toilet because they could cause blockages in the drain, or cause the damage of sewer lines.
  • Seven household items you should never flush down the toilet include:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking oil, as well as cooking grease
    • Products for feminine hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
    • Medical Treatment
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Flushing any of these items can lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipelines within 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.

Seven household objects should not be flushed into the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes may seem convenient however, they do not dissolve like toilet paper and could clog the plumbing in your home. Throw them away in the garbage instead.

2. Condoms

Dissolving condoms in the toilet can cause blockages to both your plumbing system and the wastewater treatment plant.

3. cooking grease and oil

Oil and grease should be disposed of in a container, then thrown in the garbage, since they can harden and cause blockages in your drains and pipes.

4. Feminine hygiene products

Tampons and sanitary pads are frequently advertised in the form of "flushable, " but flushing them is not likely to cause troubles later on if they combine with other items to cause a terrible obstruction.

5. Medicines

The flushing of medications should not occur through the toilet, as they can be a source of contamination for water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is created to be sturdy that means it will not be able to break 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, which means they are less likely to deteriorate rapidly once they are wet, which means they won’t quickly cause blockages.

In conclusion, flushing one of these seven things will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipes within your plumbing system which can result in an unexpected price to the homeowner. Be aware of the things 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? cause damage to my pipes?

Yes. Female hygiene products don’t break down in water and could cause blockages in the sewer or your pipes.

Are flushable wipes truly flushable?

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

Do I have to wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the drain as they do not dissolve well and can cause blockages.

Are paper towels okay to flush?

No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and will not break down as quickly, causing possible clogs in your plumbing system.

What about medication? Can I flush those through the toilet?

No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways, so it’s vital to dispose them correctly by taking these to designated place for drop-off.

If you are dealing with the problem of a blocked drain, don’t be afraid to contact our professional plumbing service for assistance at 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 drain issues. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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