7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
Toilets are a typical home appliance that we use daily. We tend to think of its use as a given, but it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s no garbage can. There are certain items that should not be flushed down the drain because they can cause obstruction from the pipes or damage for sewer drains.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t flush certain items in the toilet, as they could cause blockages in the drain or the damage of sewer lines.
- Seven household items that you should never flush down the toilet include:
- 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
- Cleaning any of these items can lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system, which will 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.
Here are seven household items you should never flush into the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes might seem useful however they don’t break down like toilet paper and can clog the plumbing in your home. You should dispose of them in the trash instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet could cause blockages in the plumbing of your home as well as wastewater treatment plants.
3. The cooking grease and oil
Grease and oil must be put in a container, and then disposed of in the trash, as they’ll get hard and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.
4. Feminine hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pad are usually marketed by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them will only lead to trouble later on when they combine with other items and cause a blockage.
5. Medicines
It is not recommended to flush medications down the toilet because they can be a source of contamination for water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is designed to be tough so it won’t be able to break in water, causing potential blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
In contrast to toilet paper, papers have a stronger weave that makes them less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, which means they won’t quickly cause blockages.
The bottom line is that flushing any of these items can lead to blocked drains and damaged pipelines in your plumbing system which comes at an unforetold cost to you. Stay mindful of what 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
Are feminine hygiene products flushed in the bathroom causing damage? actually harm my pipes?
Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not break down in water and could block your sewer or pipes.
Are flushable wipes truly flushable?
No, many "flushable" wipes do not actually break down easily and can cause clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the drain since they are not able to dissolve easily and can cause blockages.
Are paper towels okay to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and will not break down as easily, leading to possible clogs in your plumbing system.
What are the implications of medications? Should I flush them down the toilet?
No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways, so it’s crucial to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking your medications to the designated place for drop-off.
If you are dealing with the problem of a blocked drain, don’t be afraid to contact our professional plumbing service via Adelaide Blocked Drains Plumber . We can help you unblock blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection as well as pipe relining services to make sure your home remains free from drainage problems. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Additional Information
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- Why You Should Choose CCTV Drain Inspection to Identify Root Infiltration in Your Plumbing System
- The Ultimate Guide to Drain Clearing Services
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