12 everyday things you shouldn’t flush down the toilet

These tips on what not to flush the toilet will allow you to avoid clogs and costly repairs.

The toilet bowl is a modern convenience tool designed to collect human waste, but not to dispose of other items in our daily lives. Flushing certain household items instead of throwing them in the trash can clog drainage pipes, contaminate the water supply, or even damage the environment. According to utility company American Water, your pipes are around 150mm in diameter at their widest point, meaning that even small, seemingly innocuous items can cause serious plumbing problems. The services of a professional to clear a sewer blockage can be expensive, not to mention the cost of repairing the damage caused by water from an overflowing toilet bowl. Prevent a plumbing emergency (and a costly bill) with these tips on what you can and can’t throw down the drain.

1. Flushable wipes

According to utilities, flushable wipes should not go down the toilet, although the packaging may state otherwise. Because these wipes don’t degrade quickly, they can easily get stuck in the sewer and cause a clog that will quickly be made worse by other debris. It’s best to keep a trash can in the bathroom for this purpose.

2. Paper towels and tissues

If you’re out of toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissues are not a suitable substitute (at least for the sewer). These paper products were designed to absorb water, not dissolve in it like toilet paper, so they are more likely to clog your pipes. Always dispose of paper towels and tissues in the trash, not the toilet.

3. Too much toilet paper

Not only is this wasteful, but it also threatens to cause serious plumbing problems. Large clumps of toilet paper are difficult to flush, and they can easily cause clogs in small pipes. To avoid toilet problems, next time you go to the bathroom, only use what you need.

4. Cotton balls or disks

While cotton balls and tampons may seem small enough to flush, they can cause serious problems inside your pipes. When flushed, these cotton products do not break down in water; instead, they tend to build up inside your pipes. According to utility companies, this can lead to clogging and even pipe failure.

5. Feminine hygiene products

Tampons, sanitary pads, and other feminine products designed to absorb liquids in some cases expand to several times their original size. These products can swell from water when flushed and block pipes leading to the sewer or septic system, resulting in a clog and toilet water spilling out of the toilet. To be safe, always dispose of feminine hygiene products in the trash.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss, usually made of nylon or Teflon, does not dissolve in water and can build up over time. According to American Water, floss can wind up on other items flushed afterward, creating even bigger clumps that can clog drains and pipes. After your oral hygiene routine, throw the floss in the trash.

7. Hair

The experts at American Water note that, as with flossing, throwing hair down the drain can lead to more serious problems. Hair tends to stick to the inside of pipes, causing them to clog over time. Avoid flushing large strands of hair down the toilet and use drain covers to protect shower and sink drains.

8. Band-aids or other sticky bandages

Some bandages are made of biodegradable plastic that can contaminate water systems when flushed down the toilet. Sticky glue can also stick to other items, leading to increased clogging. Avoid these problems by throwing the bandages in the trash.

9. Medications and other hazardous materials

To prevent water contamination, never flush medications or potentially hazardous household materials (such as paint and some cleaning products, including oven, window, and tile cleaners) down the toilet.

10. Cigarette butts

Cigarettes are another type of waste that can release potentially harmful chemicals into the water supply and harm wildlife. In addition, cigarette butts don’t always flush down the drain after flushing, leaving an unpleasant surprise for the next person who goes to the bathroom. It is better to use a trash can for this purpose.

11. Fats, oils or grease

As a general rule, you shouldn’t flush food down the toilet at all, but fats and oils can be particularly problematic for drains. Although these ingredients are initially in liquid form, they can solidify and attach to the inside of your pipes. This can block the passage of other items, causing a clog.

12. Cat litter

Unlike human waste, cat feces should never go down the toilet . Flushing cat litter or waste down the toilet can introduce potentially harmful parasites into the water supply, and the litter can soak up water and clog pipes. Always bag and dispose of cat litter and waste in the trash.

It’s important to remember that a toilet bowl is not a substitute for a trash can. Protect your plumbing by following these tips, and if in doubt, throw the garbage in the trash can rather than flush.