The easiest way to ask this question would be, “What should you flush down the toilet?” The answer? Just human waste and toilet paper. But we’re here to answer why. Why can’t you flush these things down the toilet?
Most things can be flushed down the toilet. You can throw a golf ball, toys, pretty much anything that fits can be shot!
Flushable Wipes
First of all, wipes or other products marketed as “flushable” are NOT actually flushable. Companies like to market this way to increase sales. Not everything you read on the packaging is true. These elements do not decompose sufficiently and can clog the pipes very quickly! Companies can get away with marketing these products as flushable because they go down the toilet! But should you rinse them? Here’s a news article and video explaining what happened in Brownsburg, Indiana due to the influx of “flushable” wipes in the toilet!
Baby Wipes
Since we’re talking about wet wipes, it’s time to talk about baby wipes. Like disposable wipes, baby wipes are designed to withstand immersion in liquids. If something is resistant to moisture, it will not decompose sufficiently when thrown down the drain. Baby wipes are not suitable for the toilet, throw them in the trash!
Feminine Hygiene Products
It’s a big one! No part of a feminine hygiene product should be flushed down the toilet. Just like the ones above, they don’t break. Plumbers note that this is a common problem in homes and businesses. Do your part and throw them in the trash!
Medication and Hazardous Waste
Let’s take a break from the things that don’t break and focus on why we don’t flush medications, chemicals, and hazardous waste down the toilet. We have filter systems to filter human waste. It would be great if only human waste was thrown down the drain. Pouring medications and chemicals down your toilet or down the drain in your home could contaminate our rivers, lakes, oceans and drinking water. If you have any medication that you need to dispose of, please take it to your local pharmacy so it can be disposed of safely.
Cotton Products
Cotton swabs, cotton pads, anything made of cotton! These have no place in the toilet. For what? You guessed it! They do not decompose and can easily clog your pipes!
Food
This may seem self-explanatory, but you would be surprised how often plumbers face this problem, especially in cities like New York where it is illegal to put up a trash can. Food ends up in the trash or trash can (if there is one!), depending on what type of food it is. Don’t clog your pipes with food!
Dental Floss
This may seem like a surprise. Dental floss is so small, how can it clog a drain? Not everyone has smooth, slippery pipes. Dental floss can snag and build up over time. It doesn’t break down, it can clump together and collect more waste that flows into the toilet, creating a huge clog that is difficult to remove.
One final fact for the road: Did you know that if you flush these items down the toilet, you can obviously clog your sewer system, but you can also clog your city’s sewers. So please think about what you put on your toilet!
If you have a clogged toilet in your home, call Heartland Plumbing at 281-688-5627 or schedule online for a plumber to contact you as soon as possible!
