What Not to Flush Down the Toilet: 8 Items to Know

Admit it. Flushing anything more than "The 3 P's" (more on them shortly) down the loo is something most of us have done. It could be paper towel, a cigarette butt, or even your wedding ring (though that one is probably accidental). It seems such a simple, harmless thing to do.

However, many things should never go down the drain and into your plumbing.

Knowing the difference between what you can and what not to flush down the toilet can save you from costly repairs, blocked pipes and even environmental damage. So let’s take a look with this guide to what is toilet-friendly and what goes in the bin.

What You CAN Flush Down the Loo

Just because certain things physically can be flushed down the toilet, doesn’t mean they should be. If you want to avoid unnecessary damage to your plumbing and the environment, you should only flush what’s commonly referred to as “The 3 P’s”. They are:

• Poo
• Pee
• (Toilet) Paper

Sticking to toilet water-soluble waste is the best way to keep your pipes in top shape. Anything else will cause toilet blockages, clogged pipes or even damage your septic system.

Always be mindful of what goes down the toilet or you’ll be in for a plumbing emergency later on. Keep a bin handy for everything else!

1. Wet Wipes (Even Flushable Wipes)

Remember back in 2020 when we had The Big Toilet Paper Shortage which led everyone to seek any possible alternative option? Baby wipes were by far among the most popular. This meant there were undoubtedly many of us who asked “It’s fine to flush baby wipes, isn’t it?”

Well, about that…

Baby wipes and wet wipes might seem convenient. However, they’re actually one of the biggest culprits behind blocked pipes and plumbing problems. Even though some are labelled as “flushable wipes” they don’t break down in water like toilet paper does.

Wet wipes stay intact and clog your pipes, septic tanks, and the wider sewer system. Over time, these wipes combine with other debris to form fatbergs. These fatbergs cause serious blockages and even environmental damage. To avoid a blocked or overflowing toilet, always dispose of wet wipes (including baby wipes) in the bin. Do not flush them down the toilet.

2. Paper Towels and Tissues

You’d be forgiven for thinking that because tissues and toilet paper are relatively similar in thickness and functionality, it should be okay to flush tissues down the loo.

Again, let’s talk about that.

Tissues, and paper towels for that matter, may look like toilet paper. However, they’re designed to absorb water and not break down as quickly as toilet paper. This makes them a big problem when flushed down the toilet. Unlike toilet paper which disintegrates in water, paper towels and tissues stay solid and increase the risk of blocked pipes and sewer blockages. These products can cause chaos to your plumbing especially in older systems or those prone to blockages.

To avoid plumbing headaches and costly repairs, throw out your used paper towels and tissues in the bin not the toilet. Keep it simple. Flush toilet paper only!

3. Cooking Oils and Grease

Flushing cooking oils and grease down the toilet is a common mistake that can cause big plumbing problems.

When grease or fats cool, they solidify and stick to the inside of your pipes. Over time, these greasy deposits gradually build up and cause blockages. But they don’t stop at your home’s plumbing; these blockages can wreak havoc on the wider sewer system as well. Pouring grease down the kitchen sink has the same effect and can cause stubborn clogs and environmental damage.

Instead of flushing or washing away oils and fats, let them cool and dispose of them in a bin. This will help you avoid clogged pipes and costly repairs.

4. Dental Floss and Hair

Sure, disposing of dental floss and hair down the toilet might seem harmless. As a matter of fact, though, the opposite is true. These items can cause big problems in your plumbing system.

Dental floss is made of tough non-biodegradable materials designed to not break down in water. Instead, it wraps around other debris and contributes to bigger clogs that block pipes. With its similar texture, hair also tangles easily and sticks to pipes, especially in small bathroom drains. Over time these can corrode pipes or cause plumbing emergencies.

To avoid blockages and keep your system flowing smoothly, always throw dental floss and hair in the bin. Don’t flush it down the loo.

5. Cat Litter and Kitty Litter

Much like the wet wipes, flushing kitty litter down the toilet is a bad idea – even if it’s labelled “flushable”.

Cat litter is designed to absorb water. When it does, it expands and can cause blocked pipes and other plumbing problems. The tiny granules can also combine with other debris in your plumbing system and make clogs even worse. It’s also worth noting that cat waste in the litter can contain harmful bacteria that standard wastewater systems doesn’t always treat, leading to potential environmental damage.

Instead of flushing cat litter, take your litter box to the bin and dispose of its contents there. This will keep your plumbing safe and your pipes clear.

6. Food Scraps

Clearing away food scraps down the toilet might seem like an easy way to get rid of leftovers but it can cause big plumbing problems.

Unlike human waste, food doesn’t break down in water. It can quickly clog your pipes and cause a blocked toilet or even bigger problems in the sewer system. Greasy or oily food can also solidify and make things worse.

Instead of flushing food dispose of scraps in a compost bin or rubbish bin. By keeping food out of your toilet you’ll avoid blockages and damage to your plumbing system.

7. Menstrual Products and Cotton Pads

Flushing menstrual products and cotton pads is a common mistake that can cause big plumbing problems.

Similar to some of the items we’ve already discussed, these items are not designed to break down in water. Instead, they absorb fluids which means they can expand quickly and block pipes. So steer clear of flushing the following:

• tampons
• sanitary pads
• cotton products like makeup pads

None of these will dissolve like toilet paper, so they can cause a blocked toilet or clogged pipes. To avoid the unwanted mess and hassle of unblocking your toilet, and to protect your pipes, always dispose of menstrual products and cotton pads in the bin.

8. Cigarette Butts and Chewing Gum

Among the worst things you can put into the toilet and plumbing system are cigarette butts and chewing gum.

Cigarette butts are made of non biodegradable materials. They will not break down in water and, instead, can block pipes. Worst of all they can contain harmful chemicals that can pollute the water supply or damage septic systems. Chewing gum also does not dissolve in water and can stick to the inside of pipes and cause stubborn clogs.

You should always throw both in the bin – not the toilet – to avoid blocked pipes, environmental damage and costly plumbing repairs.

Keep Your Plumbing Flowing Freely!

By understanding what not to flush down the toilet you can avoid plumbing disasters and protect your home’s pipes.

Flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper can cause blocked pipes, costly repairs and environmental damage. Always dispose of wet wipes, paper towels, cooking oils and cat litter in the bin, not down the loo.

Be mindful of what goes down your drains and your plumbing and septic system will flow smoothly, save you time, money and the hassle of a blocked toilet or worse!

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