Avoid clotted pipes and costly repairs with these tips on what not to flush . hear the perpetrator to keep your bathymetry and septic system in top shape .
toilet are a modern - daytime public lavatory that manage human waste , but they ’re not so slap-up at throw away of other items . So , can hair clog a potty ? Yes , it can . Also , flushing certain household products , instead of flip them in the trash , can overload drain tobacco pipe , foul the water system , or even cause environmental damage .
Your pipes are only four inches in diameter at their widest , which means even small , ostensibly harmless items can cause major bathymetry problems . engage a professional to snake your choked drain can cost 100 of dollar sign , not to bring up the expense of repairing H2O equipment casualty do by an overflow toilet . Prevent a plumbing pinch ( and a high-priced bill ) with these tips on what can and ca n’t go down the drainage .
Credit:BHG / Julie Bang
BHG / Julie Bang
1. “Flushable” Wipes
Although the computer software might state otherwise , flushable rub should not go down the toilet . Because these wipes do not fracture down promptly , they can easy get hold fast in drain and cause clogs . Keep a lined trash can in your lav and toss out of rub there instead .
BHG / Ana Cadena
2. Paper Towels and Tissues
If you ’ve run out oftoilet paper , paper towel and facial tissues are not a suitable substitute as these newspaper products were design to absorb water . john paper dissolves and wo n’t block up your pipes . Always toss of paper towels , reusable newspaper towels , and tissues in the food waste , not the toilet .
3. Too Much Toilet Paper
Not only is it uneconomical , but also , using too much toilet paper can lead to major plumbing issues . Large wads of toilet paper are hard to level and can easily cause a patten in small pipework . To avoidtoilet problem , use only what you need next prison term you guide to the restroom .
4. Cotton Balls, Rounds, or Swabs
Although cotton balls , rounds , and swabs might seem pocket-size enough to flush , they can cause big problem inside your pipes . When flushed , these cotton fiber products do not bust down in the H2O ; instead , they incline to ramp up up inside pipeline .
cotton plant balls are highly absorbent and can snag on material in pipes , lead to clogs . To avoid plumbing issues , always dispose of them in the trash .
5. Period Products
Tampons , healthful stamp pad , and other time period products are designed to absorb liquidness and , in some typeface , expand to several times turgid than their original size . These stringy products can swell up with water when flushed and stick to the sewer line causing gutter water to back up and bubble over . To be good , always dispose of period products in the rubbish .
6. Dental Floss
Usually made of nylon or Teflon , dental floss does not break down easily in water and can build up over time if flushed . The floss can wrap around other point flushed after it , creating even larger clumps that can overload sewer and pipework . After practice good dental hygienics , toss your dental floss in the trash .
7. Hair
Can hair clog up a toilet ? Similar to dental dental floss , send hair’s-breadth down the drain can make big problems later on . fuzz tends to adhere to the inside of piping , leading to build - up and clogs over time .
Do n’t flush large clumps of hair’s-breadth down the stool . Use drain covers or strainers made of unsullied steel or silicone to fend off clog your drain and pipes .
8. Bandages
Some bandages are made of non - biodegradable plastic , which can pollute water system organization when flushed down the potty . The sticky adhesive agent can also adhere to other items , result in a larger clog dance . keep off these issue by disposing of bandage in a garbage can .
9. Medications and Other Hazardous Materials
To help prevent water system befoulment , never flush medications or potentially wild family materials ( such as paint and some cleanup products , including cleaners for ovens , windows , and roofing tile ) down the toilet . If you have medications you demand to dispose of , check the FDA ’s Flush List . The best mode to cast aside of unused or expired medicine is to drop it off at a drug take - back situation . Pouring house wild waste like cleaners , paint , or oil down drains or lavatory can contaminate septic tanks and sewer water discourse systems , pose environmental and health risks . Environmental programs can locate a collection computer program in your residential district to serve you recycle or dispose of over 350 types of materials safely .
10. Cigarette Butts
cigarette are another waste item that can acquaint potentially harmful chemicals into the water supply system and impairment wildlife . Plus , cigarette butts do n’t always go down the waste pipe after flushing , leaving an unpleasant surprise for the next person to use the lavatory . After safely extinguishing them , dispose of cigarettes in the codswallop .
11. Fats, Oils, or Grease
As a regulation , you should n’t flush food down the commode at all , but blubber , oils , and grease can be especially problematic for drains . Although these ingredient might embark on in smooth form , they can solidify and impound to the midland lining of your pipes . This may keep other items from passing , induce a blockage .
After cooking , allow avoirdupois , oils , and grease to cool completely and solidify before throwing the clay in the trash .
12. Kitty Litter
Unlike human kind , feline waste should never go in the john . Flushing cat litter or liquidate down the toilet can infix potentially harmful parasites into the piss provision , while the litter can absorb body of water and clog tobacco pipe . Always bag and dispose of cat bedding material and waste in the meth .
It ’s important to think that a throne is not a replacement for your scraps can . Protect your plumbing by following these guidelines , and when in doubt , throw it in your methamphetamine hydrochloride rather than sluice it .
“ Addressing America ’s Aging Water Infrastructure . ”Water Street . 2020 .
Credit: Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images
“ How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost in 2025?”HomeAdvisor . 2024 .
“ rinse Away Bad Habits : What Should Never Go Down Your Drain?”Water Street . 2020 .
“ Folded or Flat Paper Towel : Which One imbibe More Water?”Science chum . 2015 .
Credit:BHG / Ana Cadena
“ thing to Never redden Down the Toilet . ”O’Leary Plumbing & Heating .
“ What Not to Flush Down the Toilet . ”Robin ’s Plumbing . 2024 .
” Drug Disposal : FDA ’s Flush List for Certain Medicines . ”U.S. FDA . 2024 .
Credit:BHG / Ana Cadena
“ Drug Disposal : Drug Take - Back Options . ”U.S. FDA . 2024 .
“ Household Hazardous Waste ( HHW).”EPA . 2024 .
“ Welcome to the Earth911 Recycling Search . ”
Credit:BHG / Ana Cadena
“ 10 Things That Will Clog Your Toilet . ”Bishop Plumbing , Heating , and cool . 2021 .
“ Do Not blush Cat Poop Down Your Toilet . ”FloHawks Plumbing + Septic . 2018 .
