7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Blocked Drains Plumbing Sydney on 29 Oct 2025

The toilet is a ubiquitous fixture in the home that we are using every day. We tend to think of its use for granted, however it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s not a trash can. Certain things shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet because they can cause obstruction within the drainage system or damage to sewer pipes.

Key Takeaways

  • Do not flush certain things in the toilet, as they could block the drain or the damage of sewer lines.
  • Seven household items that you should never flush down the toilet include:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Cooking grease and oil
    • Products for female hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
    • Medicines
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Doing this could result in blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines in your home’s plumbing system, which will result in an expense that is unimaginable to you.
  • Blocked Drains Plumbing Sydney offers unblocking blocked drains and drain clearing services CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services.

These are the seven items in your home that you should never flush in the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes might seem useful, but they do not dissolve like toilet paper, and they can block your plumbing system. Put them in the garbage instead.

2. Condoms

The flushing of condoms in the toilet can cause blockages to both your home’s plumbing and wastewater treatment plants.

3. cooking grease and oil

Oil and grease must be disposed of in a container and thrown away in the trash, because they’ll get hard and cause obstructions in your drains or pipes.

4. Produits for female hygiene

Tampons and sanitary pad are usually advertised in the form of "flushable, " but flushing them could cause trouble later on when they are combined with other items and cause a clog.

5. Medications

The flushing of medications should not occur down the toilet because they could pollute our water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is created to be strong that means it will not split when wet, which can lead to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.

7. Paper towels

In contrast to toilet paper, papers have a stronger weave that means they are less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, which means they won’t easily blockage.

The bottom line is that flushing one of these seven things will eventually lead to blocked drains or damaged pipes within your plumbing system which will incur a huge cost to the homeowner. Stay 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.

Common Questions & Answers

Does flushing feminine hygiene products actually harm my pipes?

Yes. Female hygiene products don’t disintegrate in water, and can cause blockages in your sewer pipes.

Can flushable wipes be truly flushable?

There is no need to worry, most "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 should not be flushed into the toilet as they do not dissolve easily and could cause obstructions.

Are paper towels suitable to flush?

No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and don’t break down as quickly, causing the possibility of clogging the plumbing system.

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

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

If you’re faced with an unblocking drain, don’t hesitate to call our professional plumbing services via Blocked Drains Plumbing Sydney . We offer services to clear blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection as well as pipe relining services to ensure that your home is free of drainage problems. Call us today for an appointment.

Additional Information

Our 5 Star Service Promise to You

Sydney Drain Plumbing Services

Are you experiencing a clogged toilet, blocked shower drain, overflowing drains or an issue with your kitchen sink? We can help you sort out your drain blockage problem quickly and provide the following services:

  • CCTV Drain Inspections
  • Drain Clearing & Drain Cleanin
  • Drain Repairs
  • Pipe Relining
  • Blocked Stormwater Drains
  • Blocked Sewer Drains & Blocked Pipes
  • Blocked Sinks & Blocked Toilets
  • Clogged or Blocked Shower Drain

Clearing blocked drains can be difficult and it’s best to get a professional plumbing service involved to tackle it for you, To get your blocked drain in Sydney cleared today, contact Blocked Drains Plumbing Sydney now and speak to one of our friendly team members.

8 Reasons To Hire Blocked Drains Plumbing Sydney

  • 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week
  • Price Up-Front, No Hidden Fees
  • Prices You Can Trust
  • Quality Workmanship Guaranteed
  • Great Reviews & Reputation
  • We’re Personable & Friendly
  • Experienced & Licenced Team
  • Get a Quote With No Obligation

We Provide 24/7 Emergency Plumbing

No one ever expects to experience a plumbing emergency, but when it does happen, you need a reliable plumbing service that can help you resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

At Blocked Drains Plumbing Sydney, we are always here for our customers, day or night, weekends or holidays. We understand that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, and we are always prepared to help.

If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, please do not hesitate to call us. We will dispatch one of our experienced plumbers to your home or business as soon as possible.

We will work diligently to resolve the issue and get your life back to normal as quickly as possible, contact us today.

Blocked Drains

Blocked Drains

Drain Inspection

Drain Inspection

Drain Cleaning

Drain Cleaning

Drain Repairs

Drain Repairs

About Us &

What We Do

When it comes to plumbing, you want to make sure you’re working with a qualified professional. At our company, we are licensed and insured professionals who are dedicated to providing quality plumbing services.

We’re here to help with all of your plumbing needs, such as blocked drains, CCTV drain inspections, drain repairs and pipe relining.

We understand that plumbing problems can be disruptive and expensive. That’s why we offer 24×7 emergency service, so you can get the help you need when you need it most.

We also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our work, so you can be confident that you’re making the best decision for your home.

Identify tree roots in your pipes with our cctv inspections and nabish them from your drains with our pip repairs and pipe relining.

Blocked Drain, CCTV Inspections & Pipe Relining
Make an Enquiry

Request a Quote

Fill out the form below to get in touch or call us today on
1300 870 298