If you treat your home toilets like trash receptacles, you will eventually need septic system repair that was entirely preventable. When dealing with waste and toilets, you should only ever flush human waste and toilet paper down them!
If you’re asking yourself, “But I thought flushable wipes were okay to flush down the toilet?” and it’s not one of the previously mentioned safe-to-flush items, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many folks are unaware that many of the everyday items we’ll be identifying in today’s blog are big no-nos when it comes to their toilets.
Read on to learn why disposing of these items in your toilet could create costly plumbing problems.
1. Flushable Wipes
“Flushable wipes” is one of the most misleading phrases in plumbing. These wipes are unsafe for your septic system, and when you flush them down your toilet, they are just repair costs waiting to happen. Unlike toilet paper, flushable wipes do not break down properly in septic tanks. They can easily get stuck in pipes, causing clogs, sewage backups, and damage to the beneficial bacteria that keep your septic system running smoothly. Protect your septic system maintenance efforts by disposing of these wipes in the trash instead of the toilet.
2. Dental Floss
Don’t flush dental floss because it’s usually made of Teflon or nylon—synthetic materials that don’t break down in water. When flushed down your toilet, dental floss can wrap around other items, creating large obstructions that can clog pipes and sewer systems and make matters worse.
3. Hair
Hair from humans or pets is a common culprit behind septic system clogs. When flushed, hair tangles with other waste and sticks to the inner walls of your pipes, creating blockages that are difficult to remove. Over time, this can lead to severe backups, costly septic system repair, and even damage to the delicate beneficial bacteria in your septic tanks. Always dispose of hair in the trash to avoid plumbing issues and safeguard your treatment systems.
4. Feminine Products
You should never flush tampons, sanitary pads, and other feminine products. These items are designed to absorb liquid and expand in size, making them a significant threat to your plumbing and septic system maintenance. Flushing feminine products can quickly obstruct your pipes, cause clogs in septic tanks, and lead to costly septic system repair. Dispose of these items in the trash to protect your treatment systems and avoid unnecessary backups.
5. Nail Clippings
While nail clippings may seem harmless, they can still contribute to issues in your septic system. This organic material does not dissolve in water, and when flushed, it can accumulate in pipes or septic tanks, leading to blockages over time. Avoid flushing nail clippings to maintain proper septic system maintenance and prevent potential damage to your treatment systems.
6. Cat Litter
Flushing cat litter can cause a major issue for your septic system and treatment systems. Animal waste is not the same as human waste, and cat litter can introduce harmful parasites like Toxoplasma gondii into the water supply. Additionally, cat litter absorbs water, hardens in pipes, and creates clogs that disrupt your septic system maintenance. Always dispose of cat litter and animal waste in the trash to avoid costly plumbing issues.
7. Food
While it might seem harmless to flush food down the toilet, it can create significant problems for your plumbing and septic system maintenance. Although food is biodegradable and will eventually break down, it can cause clogs in your pipes and septic tanks until that happens. Food waste disrupts the balance of beneficial bacteria in your treatment systems, leading to potential blockages and costly septic system repair. To avoid these issues, always dispose of food scraps in the trash or compost them.
8. Contact Lenses
While many contact lenses are disposable, that doesn’t mean they’re biodegradable. Contact lenses are made from plastics that contribute to the growing problem of microplastics in our water systems. Flushing these items harms the environment and poses risks to septic system maintenance, potentially disrupting treatment systems. Properly dispose of contact lenses in the trash to avoid contributing to water pollution and protect your septic system.
9. Paper Towels
Never substitute paper towels (or facial tissues) for when you’ve run out of toilet paper. While they may look and feel like toilet paper, they do not disintegrate easily in your septic tank. Paper towels can accumulate in pipes when flushed, leading to clogs and backups that require professional septic system repair. To maintain your septic system maintenance, always throw paper towels and tissues into the trash instead of flushing them.
10. Makeup Wipes
Makeup wipes—even those marketed as “flushable”—are not safe for your plumbing or septic system. These wipes do not dissolve in water and can cause clogs in pipes, damage beneficial bacteria, and disrupt septic tanks. Flushing makeup wipes can also harm treatment systems, leading to more frequent maintenance or costly repairs. Dispose of makeup wipes in the trash to protect your plumbing and the environment.
11. Cotton Products
Cotton products like swabs, balls, and pads should never be flushed down the toilet. Unlike toilet paper, these items do not break down in water and instead clump together, causing significant problems in pipes and septic tanks. Over time, this leads to blockages that can disrupt your septic system maintenance and require costly septic system repair. Always dispose of cotton products in the trash to keep your treatment systems functioning properly.
12. Chewing Gum
Flushing chewing gum is a major plumbing hazard. Gum acts like glue—it’s sticky, insoluble, and will never disintegrate in your plumbing. When flushed, gum can adhere to pipes and other debris, creating stubborn blockages in your system. Protect your septic system and treatment systems by properly disposing of chewing gum in the trash instead of the toilet.
13. Bleach
This one might surprise you, but you shouldn’t be pouring bleach down your toilet drain. Bleach is highly corrosive and can damage pipes, harm beneficial bacteria in septic tanks, and disrupt treatment systems. Additionally, bleach can produce dangerous toxic fumes when it reacts with other substances in your plumbing. Use septic-safe cleaning alternatives to avoid costly septic system repair.
14. Cooking Grease
Cooking grease is fat, and when it solidifies, it becomes hard as a rock. Flushing grease creates blockages in plumbing and severely damages septic tanks and treatment systems. Grease disrupts beneficial bacteria, leading to inefficiencies in your system that can require expensive septic system repair. To maintain your plumbing and septic system, always dispose of cooking grease in a sealed container in the trash.
15. Paint and Other Chemicals
Flushing paint, solvents, or other household chemicals is extremely harmful to both plumbing and the environment. Paint can harden and constrict pipes, causing blockages that disrupt your septic system maintenance. Moreover, chemicals damage beneficial bacteria in septic tanks and contaminate water supplies. Always dispose of these materials through proper hazardous waste disposal programs.
16. Tobacco Products
Cigarette butts and other tobacco products should never be flushed. These items clog pipes and release harmful chemicals, toxins, and carcinogens into the water supply. Flushing tobacco products can also disrupt your septic tanks and harm treatment systems, leading to expensive septic system repair. Dispose of tobacco products responsibly in the trash to protect your plumbing and the environment.
17. Medicine & Pharmaceuticals
Flushing medications might seem like a quick solution, but it poses severe risks to both your plumbing and the environment. Pharmaceuticals dissolve in water, contaminating groundwater and disrupting treatment systems. These substances also harm beneficial bacteria in your septic tanks, leading to inefficiencies that require costly septic system repair. Instead, dispose of medications at designated take-back programs to protect your plumbing and the environment.
For even more items to avoid flushing down your toilet, check out our newest blog post!
Have You Been Accidentally Flushing The Wrong Items Down Your Toilet?
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