Everyday Items You Should Never Flush Down Your Toilet

Bathrooms are a modern convenience that takes care of human waste, but they aren't that great at disposing of other items. Cleaning certain household items instead of throwing them away can clog drains, contaminate the water system, or even harm the environment.

According to the American Water utility company, their pipes are only four inches in diameter at their maximum width, which means that even small, seemingly harmless items can cause major plumbing problems.

Hiring a professional to drain your clogged drain can cost hundreds of dollars, not to mention the expense of repairing the water damage caused by an overflowing toilet. Avoid a plumbing emergency (and a costly bill) with these tips on dos and dont's.

1. Too much toilet paper

In addition to being wasteful, using too much toilet paper can lead to major plumbing problems. Large toilet paper rolls are difficult to wash and can easily clog small pipes.

To avoid bathroom problems, use only what you need the next time you go to the bathroom.

2. Cotton balls, round or cotton swabs

Although cotton balls, circles, and swabs may seem small enough to wash, they can cause big problems inside your pipes.

When washed, these cotton products do not break down in water; rather, they tend to accumulate inside the pipes. According to Hubbard Plumbing of New York, this can lead to blockages and even twisted or broken pipes.

3. Towels and tissues

If you run out of toilet paper, paper towels and tissues are not a suitable substitute (at least not for the drain). These paper products are designed to absorb water, not dissolve in it like toilet paper, so they are more likely to block pipes, according to J. Blanton Plumbing of Chicago.

Always dispose of paper towels and tissues in the trash, not in the bathroom.

4. Feminine products

Tampons, sanitary pads, and other feminine products are designed to absorb liquids and, in some cases, expand several times their original size.

According to Green's Plumbing of California, these products can swell with water when discharged and block pipes leading to the sewer or septic system, causing bathroom water to overflow. For safety, always dispose of feminine products in the trash.

5. Floss

Usually made of nylon or Teflon, floss does not break down easily in water and can build up over time if washed.

According to American Water, dental floss can engulf other items that are released afterward, creating even larger lumps that can clog sewers and pipes. After practicing good dental hygiene, throw your floss in the trash.

6. Hair

Like flossing, pulling your hair down the drain could cause bigger problems down the road, say the experts at American Water. Hair tends to stick to the inside of pipes, causing build-up and clogging over time.

Don't flush large strands of hair down the toilet and use drain plugs to protect shower and sink drains.

7. Medicines and other hazardous materials

To help prevent water contamination, never flush drugs or potentially hazardous household materials (such as paint and some cleaning products, including oven, window, and tile cleaners) down the toilet.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, the best way to dispose of an unused or expired drug is to drop it off at a drug collection site.

For household hazardous waste, the Environmental Protection Agency suggests locating a collection program in your community that can help you recycle or dispose of the materials safely.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about what you should never flush down the toilet:

Source: Inside Edition

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