7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing on 18 Sep 2024

Toilets are a common home appliance that we regularly use. We tend to think of the convenience of it for granted, however it’s important to remember that it’s no garbage can. Certain things should not ever be flushed away down the toilet because they could cause blockage from the pipes or damage for sewer drains.

Key Takeaways

  • Be careful not to flush certain items in the toilet, as they could block the drain or damages to the pipes.
  • Seven household items that you should never flush down the toilet are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking fat
    • Products for feminine hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
    • Meds
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Doing this can lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipelines within your home’s plumbing system. This can result in an unimaginable cost to you.
  • Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining.

Here are seven household items that should not be flushed into the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes can be convenient however they don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, and they can block water lines. Dispose of them in the garbage instead.

2. Condoms

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

3. cooking grease and oil

Grease and oil must be put in a container and thrown away in the trash, as they will harden and cause blockages in your drains and pipes.

4. Products for feminine hygiene

Tampons and sanitary pads are often advertised in the form of "flushable, " but flushing them is not likely to cause troubles later on if they join with other products to form a nasty clog.

5. Medicines

Medications should never be flushed through the toilet, as they could pollute our water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is designed to be sturdy, which means it won’t fall apart in water, leading to possible blockages in your pipes.

7. Paper towels

As opposed to toilet paper papers have a stronger weave which helps them to deteriorate rapidly once they are they are wet. This means that they will not easily cause blockages.

If you flush any of the seven items could result in blocked drains as well as damaged pipelines within the plumbing system of your home, that will result in a significant cost to the homeowner. 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.

Frequently Asked Question

Does flushing feminine hygiene products cause damage to my pipes?

Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not dissolve in water and could block your pipes or sewer system.

Are flushable wipes actually flushable?

There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes don’t 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 down the drain since they are not able to dissolve easily and can cause obstructions.

Are paper towels safe to flush?

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

What are the implications of medications? Should I flush them into the toilet?

No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways. Therefore, it’s essential to dispose of them properly by taking them to a designated location for disposal.

If you find yourself dealing with the problem of a blocked drain, don’t hesitate to call our professional plumbing solutions via Sydney Blocked Drain Plumbing . We offer unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection as well as pipe relining services to make sure your home remains free from issues with drainage. Call us now to make an appointment.

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