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 household fixture that we all are using every day. It’s easy to take its convenience for granted, however it’s vital to remember that it’s a toilet, not a garbage can. Certain things shouldn’t be flushed down the drain because they could cause blockage from the pipes or damage for sewer drains.

Key Takeaways

  • Avoid flushing certain things down the toilet as they could cause blockages in the drain or damages to the pipes.
  • Seven household items you should never flush down the drain are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking oil, as well as cooking grease
    • Products for female hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
    • Medicines
    • 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 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.

There are 7 household things you shouldn’t flush in the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes may seem convenient however, they do not dissolve like toilet paper, and they can block your plumbing system. Put them in the trash instead.

2. Condoms

The flushing of condoms in the toilet can result in blockages of the plumbing of your home as well as the wastewater treatment plant.

3. Food preparation grease and oil

Oil and grease must be removed from a container and thrown away in the garbage bin, as they’ll get hard and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.

4. Products for feminine hygiene

Tampons and sanitary pads are frequently advertised by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them can cause problems later when they combine with other items to create a nasty obstruction.

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 break apart when wet, which can lead to possible blockages in your pipes.

7. Paper towels

In contrast to toilet paper, Paper towels have a thicker weave that means they are less likely to degrade quickly after being they are wet. This means that they will not easily cause blockages.

The bottom line is that flushing one of these seven things will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipes within your home’s plumbing system which can result in an unexpected cost to you. Be mindful of what you send 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

Does flushing feminine hygiene products really damage my pipes?

Yes. The products used to clean your female hygiene don’t disintegrate in water, and could block your pipes or sewer system.

Are flushable wipes truly flushable?

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

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

No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed into the toilet as they do not dissolve easily and can cause obstructions.

Are paper towels suitable to flush?

No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and don’t break down with the same ease, resulting in potential clogs in your plumbing system.

What happens to medications? Can I flush those into the toilet?

No. Medications can contaminate our waterways, which is why it’s crucial to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking these to designated drop-off point.

If you’re faced with a blocked drain Do not hesitate to contact our professional plumbing solutions via Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing . We offer unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure that your home isn’t impacted by plumbing issues. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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