7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a ubiquitous fixture in the home that we are using every day. We tend to think of the convenience of it for granted, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a garbage can. There are some things that shouldn’t to be flushed into the drain because they can cause obstruction in the drain or damage for sewer drains.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid flushing certain things down the toilet as they can cause blockages in the drain or the damage of sewer lines.
- Seven household items that you shouldn’t flush down the drain are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Cooking grease and oil
- Female hygiene products (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
- Medical Treatment
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Flushing any of these items can result in blockages in drains or damaged pipelines within your home’s plumbing system, which will result in an unforetold cost to you.
- Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.
There are 7 household things that you shouldn’t flush into the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes might seem useful however they don’t dissolve like toilet paper and could clog pipes. Dispose of them in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Flushing condoms down the toilet can result in blockages of both your home’s plumbing and wastewater treatment facilities.
3. cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease must be disposed of in a container and thrown away in the garbage bin, as they’ll get hard and cause obstructions in your drains or pipes.
4. Produits for female hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pads are typically advertised to be "flushable, " but flushing them could cause problems later when they join with other products and cause a blockage.
5. Medications
It is not recommended to flush medications down the toilet because they could contaminate water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is made to be sturdy, which means it won’t break apart when wet, which can lead to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Unlike with toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave that will make them less likely to break down quickly when they are wet. This means that they will not easily cause blockages.
If you flush one of these seven things will eventually lead to blocked drains as well as damaged pipelines within the plumbing system of your home, which will incur a huge cost to the homeowner. Be mindful of the items you flush 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
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed can cause harm to my pipes?
Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not dissolve in water and can cause blockages in the sewer or your pipes.
Are flushable wipes really flushable?
There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes do not really break down and can lead to clogs in your pipes.
Can I use baby wipes to flush them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should not be flushed down the toilet because they don’t dissolve well and can cause obstructions.
Are paper towels safe to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper, and they will not break down as quickly, causing possible clogs in your plumbing system.
What are the implications of medications? Should I flush them into the toilet?
No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways. Therefore, it’s crucial to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking the containers to an appropriate location for disposal.
If you’re dealing with an unblocking drain, don’t hesitate to call our professional plumbing service at Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumber . We can help you unblock blocked drains as well as drain clearing CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to ensure your home isn’t impacted by plumbing issues. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
Additional Information
- The Dangers of Using Chemical Drain Unblockers
- How to Fix a Shower Drain: The Step-by-Step Fix Necessary
- Benefits of Pipe Relining for Your Blocked Drains Problem
- The Top Solution for Blocked Drains: Discover Jetting Your Way to a Clearer System
- Remove Drain Blockages Permanently with These Proven Techniques
- Say hello to unclogged drains with effective remedies
- How to Clear Blocked Drains in Your Home
- Natural Methods for Keeping Your Shower Drain Free of Blockages
- Everything You Need to Know About Unblocking Drains and Avoiding Plumbing Problems
- How CCTV Drain Inspections Help Avoid Water Damage and Health Hazards
