5 Things You Should Never Flush Down Your Toilet

Your toilet is not a trash can. Flushing the wrong things can lead to disgusting clogs, expensive plumbing bills, and serious environmental damage.

1. Wipes of Any Kind

This includes baby wipes, cleaning wipes, and even wipes labeled “flushable.” Unlike toilet paper, they don’t break down in water. They stretch and snag, creating net-like blockages in your pipes.

Consequence: The #1 cause of major household clogs and city-wide sewer blockages called “fatbergs.”

2. Paper Towels & Facial Tissues

These products are designed to be strong and absorbent. They are built to hold up when wet, which is the exact opposite of what you want in your plumbing system. They simply don’t dissolve quickly enough.

Consequence: They expand and form large, stubborn pulp-like clogs that are difficult to remove.

3. Dental Floss & Hair

Though small, these string-like items are a plumber’s nightmare. They are not biodegradable and wrap themselves around other debris in the pipes, forming the foundation for massive clogs, much like a net.

Consequence: Creates durable, web-like blockages and can wrap around parts of your city’s sewer equipment, causing damage.

4. Fats, Oils, & Grease

It may be liquid when you pour it, but as soon as cooking grease, fat, or oil cools, it solidifies. It coats the inside of your pipes, narrowing the passage for water and waste.

Consequence: The primary ingredient in city-destroying “fatbergs.” It hardens into a waxy, concrete-like substance that requires specialized equipment to remove.

5. Cotton Products (Swabs, Balls, Rounds)

Cotton is extremely absorbent and does not break apart in water. Instead, cotton balls and swabs clump together in your pipes, creating dams that easily cause blockages.

Consequence: These small items collect in the bends of your pipes, leading to frequent and frustrating clogs.

Myth vs. Fact

Myth: “If it’s labeled ‘flushable,’ it must be safe for my toilet.”

Fact: The term “flushable” is a marketing term, not a plumbing standard. It simply means the item will clear your toilet bowl. It does *not* mean it will break down in your pipes. Water utility companies spend millions of dollars every year clearing clogs caused by so-called “flushable” products. Only human waste and toilet paper should ever be flushed.

The Golden Rule: When in doubt, throw it out!

Treat your plumbing with respect, and it will serve you well. A trash can next to the toilet is your best defense against a costly and disgusting plumbing emergency.