Your toilet is designed to handle exactly two things: human waste and toilet paper. Everything else, no matter what the packaging claims, risks clogs, backups, and sewer damage. Here's the list to keep in mind.
Never flush these
- 'Flushable' wipes — they don't break down and cause major clogs
- Paper towels and tissues — much stronger than toilet paper
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Dental floss — it tangles and catches debris
- Diapers
- Medications — they contaminate the water supply
- Grease, fats, and oils
- Cat litter
- Hair
Why it matters
These items don't dissolve. They snag on pipe joints, tangle together, and combine with grease to form blockages that back up your line — and contribute to the massive 'fatberg' clogs that plague municipal sewers.
The 'flushable' wipe problem
This one bears repeating: despite the marketing, flushable wipes are the number-one cause of avoidable clogs and sewer backups. Plumbers pull them out of clogged lines constantly. Always trash them.
The simple rule
When in doubt, throw it out. A small trash can in the bathroom prevents the temptation to flush things that will cost you far more later.
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