What Not To Flush Down the Toilet

What Not to Flush Down Your Toilet

Technically, many things can physically fit down a toilet. But the better question is: what should you flush down the toilet? The answer: human waste and toilet paper only.

But we’re here to answer the why’s. Why shouldn’t you flush these things down your toilet?

Flushable Wipes

First and foremost, wipes or any products that are marketed as “flushable” are not actually suitable for flushing. Companies market products this way to increase sales—not everything you read on packaging reflects how the product will perform in your plumbing system. These items do not break down enough and can clog up the drains very quickly. Companies can label these as flushable because they fit down the toilet. Should you flush them though? No. Here is a news article and video explaining what happened in Brownsburg, IN due to an influx of “flushable” wipes going down the toilet.

Baby Wipes

While we’re talking about wipes, it’s time to address baby wipes. Baby wipes are made to withstand staying soaked in liquid, just like flushable wipes. If something is designed to stay wet, it’s not going to break down enough when it goes down the drains. Baby wipes are not toilet safe—throw them in the trash.

Feminine Hygiene Products

This is an important one. No part of a feminine hygiene product should be flushed down the toilet. Just like those above, they do not break down. Plumbers find this to be a common issue in households and businesses. Please dispose of them in the trash. Flushing items like these can cause internal toilet damage or blockages that may eventually require a plumber to fix a running toilet.

Medication and Hazardous Waste

Let’s take a break from things that just don’t break down and focus on why we shouldn’t flush medication, chemicals, and hazardous waste down the toilet. We have filtration systems that are designed to filter human waste. This would work well if human waste was the only thing going down the drains. Putting medication and chemicals down your toilet or any drain in your home could contaminate our rivers, lakes, oceans, and drinking water. If you have medication that you need to dispose of, please take it to your local pharmacy so they can handle it safely.

Cotton Products

Cotton swabs, cotton pads, anything cotton—these do not belong down the toilet. Why? You guessed it. They do not break down and can easily clog your pipes.

Food

This may seem self-explanatory, but you would be surprised at how often plumbers run into this issue, especially in cities like NYC where it is against code to install a garbage disposal. Food goes in the trash or down the garbage disposal (if you have one) depending on what kind of food it is. Please don’t clog your pipes with food.

Dental Floss

This may seem like a surprise. Floss is so small—how can it clog a drain? Not everyone has smooth, slick pipes. Dental floss can get caught and collect over time. It does not break down, and it can clump up and collect more waste going down the toilet, resulting in a large clog that is difficult to remove.

One Last Thing

Did you know that if you flush these items down the toilet, you can clog not only your home’s sewage system but also your city sewer line? Please be thoughtful about what you put down your toilet.

If you’re dealing with a clogged toilet in your home, call HomeSense at 317-243-3581 or schedule online to have a plumber come out.