7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Toilets are a common fixture in the home that we regularly use. There’s a tendency to accept its use as a given, but it’s important to remember that it’s no garbage can. Certain things shouldn’t to be flushed into the toilet because they can cause obstruction inside the sewer or damage for sewer drains.
Key Takeaways
- Do not flush certain things in the bathroom because they can cause blockages in the drain, or cause the damage of sewer lines.
- Seven household items you should never flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking grease
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
- Medications
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Flushing any of these items will ultimately lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipes within your plumbing system. This can result in an expense that is unimaginable to you.
- Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services.
There are 7 household things you shouldn’t flush in the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes are a convenient option but they don’t dissolve like toilet paper and can clog pipes. You should dispose of them in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet can lead to blockages in the plumbing of your home as well as wastewater treatment facilities.
3. The cooking grease and oil
Grease and oil must be disposed of in a container, and then disposed of in the trash, because they will harden and cause obstructions in your drains or pipes.
4. Produits for female hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pad are usually advertised to be "flushable, " but flushing them will only lead to issues later on when they join with other products to cause a terrible clog.
5. Medications
The flushing of medications should not occur in the toilet since they could pollute our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is made to be durable that means it will not split when wet, which can lead to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Contrary to toilet paper the paper towels have a more dense weave that makes them less likely to deteriorate quickly once they are wet. This means that they will not quickly cause blockages.
If you flush any of these items could result in blocked drains or damaged sewer pipes within the plumbing system of your home, which comes at an unforetold cost to you. 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 Questions
Are feminine hygiene products flushed in the bathroom causing damage? actually harm my pipes?
Yes. Female hygiene products don’t disintegrate in water, and may cause blockages to the sewer or your pipes.
Are flushable wipes actually flushable?
No, many "flushable" wipes do not necessarily break down quickly and could cause clogs to your pipes.
Do I have to use baby wipes to flush them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should not be flushed down the drain since they won’t dissolve easily and could cause blockages.
Do paper towels need to be used to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and aren’t broken down as quickly, causing the possibility of clogging your plumbing system.
What about medications? Do I have to flush them in the toilet?
No. Medications can contaminate our waterways. It’s important to dispose of the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing these to designated location for disposal.
If you are dealing with the problem of a blocked drain, don’t hesitate to contact our professional plumbing services via Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumber . We can help you unblock blocked drains and drain clearing CCTV drain inspection as well as pipe relining services to ensure your home isn’t impacted by plumbing issues. Call us now to make an appointment.
Additional Information
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- The Benefits of Using CCTV Drain Inspection for Pipe Relining Services
- Why You Should Choose CCTV Drain Inspection to Identify Root Infiltration in Your Plumbing System
- An All-Inclusive Handbook to Unclogging Pipes: What Plumbers Utilize
- The Pros and Cons of Clearing Blocked Drains Yourself or Hiring a Professional
- Why Condo Complexes are Switching to Trenchless Pipe Relining Methods
- Master How to Quickly Unclog Your Clogged Drains with the Do-It-Yourself Guide
- Say hello to unclogged drains with effective remedies
- How CCTV Drain Inspections Help Avoid Water Damage and Health Hazards