7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Perth Blocked Drains Plumbers on 13 Dec 2025

Toilets are a typical fixture in the home that we are using every day. We tend to think of its use as a given, but it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s no garbage can. There are some things that shouldn’t ever be flushed away down the toilet since they can cause blockage in the drain or damage to sewer pipes.

Key Takeaways

  • Do not flush certain things into the toilet because they can cause blockages in the drain, or cause damages to the pipes.
  • Seven household items that you should never flush down the toilet are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking oil, as well as cooking grease
    • Female hygiene products (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
    • Medical Treatment
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • The act of flushing any of these items can lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system which comes at unimaginable expense to you.
  • Perth Blocked Drains Plumbers offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining.

There are 7 household things you should never flush into the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes may seem convenient but they don’t disintegrate like toilet paper and can clog pipes. You should dispose of them in the trash instead.

2. Condoms

Toilet paper that contains condoms can result in blockages of the plumbing of your home as well as the wastewater treatment plant.

3. Food preparation grease and oil

Oil and grease should be removed from the container and thrown away in the garbage bin, as they’ll harden, causing obstructions in your drains, or pipes.

4. Produits for female hygiene

Tampons and sanitary pads are often marketed as "flushable, " but flushing them can cause troubles later on if they join with other products to form a nasty obstruction.

5. Medications

The flushing of medications should not occur in the toilet since they can be a source of contamination for water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is made to be durable and durable, meaning it won’t fall apart when wet, which can lead to the possibility of clogging your pipes.

7. Paper towels

Unlike with toilet paper, Paper towels have a thicker weave which helps them to deteriorate rapidly once they are they’re wet. They can easily blockage.

If you flush one of these seven things can lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines in your plumbing system that will result in a significant cost to you. Stay mindful of what you pour down your toilet.

Item Reason for not Flushing
Baby wipes Do not break down like toilet paper and can clog your plumbing system. Dispose of them in the trash instead.
Condoms Leads to blockages both at home’s plumbing and treatment plants.
Cooking grease and oil Will harden and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.
Feminine hygiene products Combining with other items creates a nasty clog despite being marketed as "flushable".
Medications Can contaminate our water sources.
Dental floss Designed to be strong, leading to potential blockages in pipes.
Paper towels Less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, easily causing blockages unlike with toilet paper.

Common Questions & Answers

Does flushing feminine hygiene products cause damage to my pipes?

Yes. Female hygiene products don’t dissolve in water and can cause blockages in your pipes or sewer system.

Are flushable wipes truly flushable?

Many "flushable" wipes do not disintegrate easily and can lead to clogs in your pipes.

Can I wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes should not be flushed into the toilet as they do not dissolve easily and can cause obstructions.

Are paper towels safe to flush?

No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and do not break down as easily, leading to potential clogs in your plumbing system.

What are the implications of medications? Can I flush those down the toilet?

No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways, so it’s crucial to dispose of them correctly by taking your medications to the designated drop-off location.

If you find yourself dealing with an unblocking drain Don’t be afraid to contact our professional plumbing service at Perth Blocked Drains Plumbers . We provide unblocking blocked drains as well as drain clearing CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to ensure that your home is not impacted by issues with drainage. Call us now to make an appointment.

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