In fact, plumbers have a very serious argument as to why only toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.
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Here are 7 things experts advise never to flush down the toilet.
Wet Wipes
While some wet wipe packages may state that they are flushable, Bethany Uribe, Head of Loss Mitigation at ASAP Restoration, advises against it.
“Even if they claim to be biodegradable, eco-friendly, or disposable, these wipes should not be flushed down the toilet – they can definitely clog your system or cause even more serious problems,” she says.
Once wipes encounter a bend, turn, or joint in the pipe, they can get stuck and form a difficult-to-remove barrier.
If enough of these wipes accumulate to form a complete blockage, pipes can be damaged, leading to sewage backup or leaks, writes “Real Simple”.
Paper Towels
Experts say that paper towels are thicker, stronger, and significantly more absorbent than toilet paper. Therefore, they do not break down as easily in water.
“While the toilet may flush them, or it may appear that they have flushed, they can still get stuck in the pipes. That’s when the problems begin,” explains Nate Hudelson, a plumber at Schlueter Plumbing.
Feminine Hygiene Products
Tampons, sanitary pads, and other menstrual hygiene products are designed to absorb as much liquid as possible. Obviously, this is not a good characteristic when they end up in pipes.
“The same reason these products are great at their intended purpose makes them terrible for your plumbing system,” says B. Uribe.
These absorbent materials expand significantly when they come into contact with water. This can completely block the pipeline and create a problem that will require calling a specialist.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
If you’ve noticed that your toilet is flushing slower or your sink is draining not as quickly as before, you might be tempted to reach for chemical drain cleaners.
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After all, that’s what they’re for, right? Not quite, warns B. Uribe.
“Many chemical products that promise to clear a clogged pipe can actually damage certain parts of your plumbing system. If chemicals affect and corrode pipes, leaks or even flooding of premises can occur,” she says.
While products that simply need to be poured down the drain and left to work seem attractive due to their simplicity, they can ultimately cause more problems than benefits.
Dental Floss
Dental floss is thin, but what’s great for cleaning teeth can become a real danger to pipes. It can easily get stuck inside the pipeline.
“If that happens, that alone can be enough for other items to start catching on it, eventually forming a kind of dam that will later turn into a clog,” explains B. Uribe.
She suggests imagining a beaver dam: it consists of small twigs, sticks, and plant fibers that intertwine and strengthen the entire structure. Synthetic materials stuck in your pipes can work similarly.
Toys and Other Unexpected Children’s “Discoveries”
Probably no parent tells their child to throw toys into the toilet, but, according to N. Hudelson, it happens more often than one might think.
Therefore, it is worth teaching children from an early age that no objects should be thrown into the toilet.
“People sometimes don’t realize that children like to throw things into the toilet and watch them disappear. (…) Children like to throw everything into the toilet because they don’t understand how much it can cost mom and dad when they have to call a plumber,” he says.
Essentially – Anything That Doesn’t Break Down
Plumbers also warn against flushing medications, cooking grease or oil, cat litter, cigarette butts, household chemicals, paints, cotton balls, ear swabs, and many other things down the toilet.
The bottom line is simple: if it’s not human waste, urine, or regular toilet paper, it doesn’t belong in the toilet.
“These other items don’t break down. And then you won’t even notice how a serious clog will appear in your plumbing system,” says N. Hudelson.
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