7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a standard fixture in the home that we are using every day. There’s a tendency to accept its use for granted, but it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s a toilet, not a garbage can. There are some things that shouldn’t ever be flushed away down the drain because they can cause obstruction within the drainage system or damage the sewer pipe.
Key Takeaways
- Be careful not to flush certain items down the toilet as they can cause blockages in the drain or the damage of sewer lines.
- Seven household items that you should never flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking oil, as well as cooking grease
- Feminine hygiene products (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
- Medications
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Flushing any of these items will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system. This will come at an unimaginable cost to you.
- Blocked Drains Plumbing Sydney offers unblocking blocked drains Drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services.
Seven household objects you should never flush down the drain.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes can be convenient however, they do not break down as easily as toilet paper and can clog pipes. Throw them away in the trash instead.
2. Condoms
Flushing condoms down the toilet can cause blockages to both the plumbing in your home and wastewater treatment plants.
3. The cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease must be put in a container, then thrown in the garbage bin, as they’ll harden, causing blockages in your drains or pipes.
4. Feminine hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pads are frequently marketed in the form of "flushable, " but flushing them can cause issues later on when they mix with other things to create a nasty clog.
5. Medicines
The flushing of medications should not occur into the toilet as they could pollute our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is crafted to be tough that means it will not fall 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 will make them less likely to break down quickly when they are wet. This means that they will not easily cause blockages.
The bottom line is that flushing any of these items will eventually lead to blocked drains and damaged pipelines in your plumbing system which can result in an unexpected expense to you. Be aware of the things 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. |
Common Questions and Answers
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed cause damage to my pipes?
Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not disintegrate in water, and could cause blockages in the sewer or your pipes.
Can flushable wipes be truly flushable?
Many "flushable" wipes don’t necessarily break down quickly and can lead to clogs in your pipes.
Can I flush baby wipes down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never be flushed down the toilet because they don’t dissolve quickly and could cause blockages.
Are paper towels okay to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper, and they will not break down so easily, resulting in the possibility of clogging the plumbing system.
What about medication? Can I flush those down the toilet?
No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways. It’s crucial to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking the containers to an appropriate place for drop-off.
If you’re dealing with the problem of a blocked drain Don’t hesitate to call our professional plumbing service by calling Blocked Drains Plumbing Sydney . We can help you unblock blocked drains as well as drain clearing CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to ensure that your home is not impacted by issues with drainage. Call us now to make an appointment.
Additional Information
- The Benefits of CCTV Drain Inspections: How Often Should You Carry Them Out?
- Locate the most reliable plumber for your backed up drain issue
- Easy Methods to Fix a Blocked Pipe: Tips and Tricks
- Prevent Blocked Drains Now: Know the Common Causes
- Experience these tried and tested remedies for unclogging your drain
- DIY Methods for Clearing Blocked Drains at Home
- Clearing Pipes Made Easy: An In-Depth Handbook for Plumbers
- Effective Ways to Clear a Clogged Shower Drain Naturally
- A Comprehensive Overview of CCTV Drain Inspection for Your Home
- From A to Z Tips for Cleaning Your Drains and Maintaining a Clog-Free Home
