What Not to Flush in Your Toilet

Your toilet is a convenient way to dispose of waste, but not everything is meant to be flushed down it. When the wrong materials are flushed, it can lead to clogs and costly repairs. To keep your plumbing in good working order and avoid clogs, it's important to know what should not be flushed down the toilet.

1. Hygiene products: Personal hygiene products such as sanitary napkins, tampons, and baby wipes should never be flushed down the toilet. These products do not break down easily and can cause blockages in the pipes. They should be disposed of in the trash.

2. Paper Towels and Wipes: These materials may seem similar to toilet paper, but they do not break down as easily and can cause clogs. Paper towels, napkins and wet wipes should be thrown away in a trash can, not flushed.

3. Cotton Swabs and Q-Tips: These items may seem small and harmless, but they can accumulate and cause blockages. They should be thrown away in a trash can and not flushed down the toilet.

4. Food waste: Food scraps, even small ones, should not be flushed down the toilet as they can clog pipes and attract pests. They should be thrown away in a trash can or composted.

5. Medications: Flushing medication can contaminate the water supply and be harmful to wildlife and aquatic life. Most pharmacies offer medication disposal services or have medication drop-off locations

6. Flammable liquids: Flushing flammable liquids down the toilet can cause a fire hazard and damage the pipes. They should be disposed of in a safe and appropriate manner.

By avoiding these items, you can keep your toilet running smoothly and avoid costly repairs. If you're ever unsure about whether or not something is safe to flush, it's best to err on the side of caution and dispose of it in the trash.

Additionally, it's also good practice to keep an eye on how much toilet paper you use, to avoid overloading your pipes, it is advisable to use the suggested amount of two squares or less at a time and be mindful of flushing multiple times in a short period of time, this can overwork the system and cause blockages. Remember that preventing clogs is much easier and less costly than dealing with them once they occur.