What Not to Flush Down the Toilet: Wipes, Hair & More

THE RISKS OF FLUSHING HAIR AND OTHER NON-BIODEGRADABLE ITEMS

•  

  Before we get into our list, let’s cover off on why we can’t just flush everything. Flushing non-biodegradable items down the toilet can wreak havoc on your plumbing system.

  Items such as paper towels, cotton balls, and other things like food particles, lint, and pet fur, do not break down in water. Instead, they accumulate in your pipes, leading to stubborn clogs and blockages. Imagine the nightmare of dealing with clogged toilets or backed-up sinks and showers—definitely not a fun scenario!

  When you flush these items, they can stick to the sides of your pipes, gradually building up and creating a blockage. This can result in costly repairs and even cause sewage to back up into your home. Moreover, flushing non-biodegradable items can contaminate the water supply and damage your septic tank.

  To avoid these plumbing issues, it’s essential to dispose of non-biodegradable items properly. Toss hair, paper towels, cotton balls, and sanitary products in the trash instead of flushing them. By being mindful of what you flush, you can help protect your plumbing system.

  Your toilet is designed to handle small amounts of water-soluble materials that break down and disintegrate quickly. As a general rule, your toilet should be fine if you stick to the three Ps — Pee, Poop and (Toilet) Paper. Now let’s get on with our no-flush list!

• HOW TOILETS GET CLOGGED - THE NO-FLUSH LIST

• HAIR

  You might be game for cutting your own hair, but flushing it down the drain is not a good look. Hair can act as a net, catching other debris as it goes down, potentially creating big blockages. Hair can also get caught in the plumbing, leading to clogged pipes. Over time, hair collects in the drain lines, causing significant plumbing issues. Hair can accumulate in shower drains and septic tanks, leading to costly repairs. Additionally, hair from the scalp can carry oils and dirt, exacerbating blockages. To avoid flushing hair, use a hair strainer to catch it before it goes down the drain. Long hair, in particular, can create severe clogs in the sewer line. For sink drains, you can use Pro-Strength Liquid-Plumr™ Hair Clog Eliminator – note we don’t recommend this product for use down the toilet. Remember, flushing human hair down the toilet bowl can lead to major plumbing problems. Avoid flushing hair along with other items that can stick to debris and cause blockages.

  

• DIAPERS

  Sure, the stuff inside the diaper makes sense. But the whole diaper? Not a good choice. Place that in your diaper bin or trash can.

  

• OILS & FATS

  Arteries aren’t the only things that can get clogged. Oils and fats eventually clog our pipes, too. Oil can harden and create tough blockages within plumbing systems. Instead of pouring them in the sink, strain and reuse them or store them in a container to dispose of. Throwing them in the garbage is a safer option.

  

• FEMININE PRODUCTS

  Can you flush tampons? No. Can you flush pads? No. If it’s designed to be super absorbent and absorb water, it’s probably not great to put in the toilet.

  

• WIPES AND TOWELS

  Ironically, many wipes labeled “flushable” have been found to cause major clogged pipes in cities around the world. Plumbers know that when a couple of swabs form an X inside your pipe, toilet paper gets trapped, and things get ugly fast. Toilet tissue is good to flush — just not the whole roll at once.

  

• MEDICINE

  Medicine can help us recover, but it creates ills for wildlife when it gets into our toilet water in large amounts. Instead, try disposing of it safely in childproof containers, when trash day is near. This also applies to cigarette butts, which should be disposed of in the garbage.

  

• PAINT

  Paint can be a pain when it’s poured down the drain, potentially harming the local water supply. Try to recycle paint instead at participating stores or drop off cans at hazardous waste facilities. That being said, washing off your brushes in the sink should be fine.

  

• RUBBER

  Items such as rubber gloves & condoms aren’t designed to break down. Putting them in the toilet means you’re risking a clog.

  

• TOYS

  They think it’s gone. You know it’s stuck. Try to teach kids to keep objects out of the toilet, and keep the cover closed whenever possible!

  

• MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF TOILET PAPER

  Toilet paper is good to flush — just not the whole roll at once. Not unlike most things in life, moderation is key.

  

• BABY WIPES

  We know, “flushable” is right there on the canister. Problem is, those wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, and they’ll have you crying like a baby when your toilet’s backed up and overflowing.

• COTTON SWABS

  Those tiny cotton-tipped swabs may seem harmless, but they don’t immediately dissolve in water, and that’s a problem. Plumbers know that when a couple of swabs form an X inside your pipe, toilet paper gets trapped, and things get ugly fast. They can also cause issues in your septic tank.

• COTTON BALLS

  While they might not be quite as bad as swabs, cotton balls still don’t dissolve in water, and can quickly join forces with other materials to clog up your pipes.

• DENTAL FLOSS

  Stringy dental floss can get tangled up in your pipes and snag flushable items like a fishing net. Floss has even been known to wrap around septic system components and burn out motors!

• GUM

  Nope, that twinge of guilt you feel when you spit a wad of chewing gum into the toilet is real. Gum never dissolves, and it’s notorious for adhering to other flushables to form clogs that are anything but fresh and minty.