7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Perth Blocked Drains Plumbers on 13 Dec 2025

Toilets are a common household fixture that we all utilize every day. There’s a tendency to accept the convenience of it as a given, but it’s important to remember that it’s no garbage can. There are some things that shouldn’t to be flushed into the drain since they can cause blockage from the pipes or damage for sewer drains.

Key Takeaways

  • Be careful not to flush certain items down the toilet as they can cause blockages in the drain, or cause damages to the pipes.
  • Seven household items you shouldn’t to flush down the toilet are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking oil, as well as cooking grease
    • Feminine hygiene products (tampons and sanitary pads)
    • Meds
    • 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 will result in unimaginable expense to you.
  • Perth Blocked Drains Plumbers offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining.

These are the seven items in your home you should never flush into the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes might seem useful, but they do not break down like toilet paper. They can also clog water lines. Throw them away in the trash instead.

2. Condoms

Flushing condoms down the toilet can lead to blockages in both the plumbing in your home and wastewater treatment facilities.

3. Cooking grease and oil

Grease and oil must be put in a container, then thrown in the trash, because they can harden and cause blockages in your drains and pipes.

4. Products for feminine hygiene

Tampons and sanitary pads are often advertised by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them could cause issues later on when they mix with other things to create a nasty blockage.

5. Medicines

Medicines should not be flushed in the toilet since they can contaminate our water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is crafted to be durable and durable, meaning it won’t fall apart in water, leading to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.

7. Paper towels

As opposed to toilet paper papers have a stronger weave which helps them to deteriorate quickly once wet, which means they won’t easily blockage.

In the end, flushing any of these items will eventually lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipes within your plumbing system which comes at an unforetold cost to you. Stay mindful of what you send down the 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.

FAQ

Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed really damage my pipes?

Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not dissolve in water and could block your pipes or sewer system.

Are flushable wipes truly flushable?

Many "flushable" wipes don’t really break down and could cause clogs to your pipes.

Do I have to flush baby wipes down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet since they won’t dissolve easily and could cause blockages.

Are paper towels okay to flush?

No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and don’t break down as easily, leading to possible clogs in the plumbing system.

What about medication? Can I flush them in the toilet?

No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways. Therefore, it’s vital to dispose them correctly by taking the containers to an appropriate location for disposal.

If you find yourself dealing with blockage of your drain do not hesitate 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 your home is not impacted by plumbing issues. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Additional Information

Our 5 Star Service Promise to You

Perth Drain Plumbing Services

Are you experiencing a clogged toilet, blocked shower drain, overflowing drains or an issue with your kitchen sink? We can help you sort out your drain blockage problem quickly and provide the following services:

  • CCTV Drain Inspections
  • Drain Clearing & Drain Cleanin
  • Drain Repairs
  • Pipe Relining
  • Blocked Stormwater Drains
  • Blocked Sewer Drains & Blocked Pipes
  • Blocked Sinks & Blocked Toilets
  • Clogged or Blocked Shower Drain

Clearing blocked drains can be difficult and it’s best to get a professional plumbing service involved to tackle it for you, To get your blocked drain in Perth cleared today, contact Perth Blocked Drains Plumbers now and speak to one of our friendly team members.

8 Reasons To Hire Perth Blocked Drains Plumbers

  • 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week
  • Price Up-Front, No Hidden Fees
  • Prices You Can Trust
  • Quality Workmanship Guaranteed
  • Great Reviews & Reputation
  • We’re Personable & Friendly
  • Experienced & Licenced Team
  • Get a Quote With No Obligation

We Provide 24/7 Emergency Plumbing

No one ever expects to experience a plumbing emergency, but when it does happen, you need a reliable plumbing service that can help you resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

At Perth Blocked Drains Plumbers, we are always here for our customers, day or night, weekends or holidays. We understand that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, and we are always prepared to help.

If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, please do not hesitate to call us. We will dispatch one of our experienced plumbers to your home or business as soon as possible.

We will work diligently to resolve the issue and get your life back to normal as quickly as possible, contact us today.

Blocked Drains

Blocked Drains

Drain Inspection

Drain Inspection

Drain Cleaning

Drain Cleaning

Drain Repairs

Drain Repairs

About Us &

What We Do

When it comes to plumbing, you want to make sure you’re working with a qualified professional. At our company, we are licensed and insured professionals who are dedicated to providing quality plumbing services.

We’re here to help with all of your plumbing needs, such as blocked drains, CCTV drain inspections, drain repairs and pipe relining.

We understand that plumbing problems can be disruptive and expensive. That’s why we offer 24×7 emergency service, so you can get the help you need when you need it most.

We also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our work, so you can be confident that you’re making the best decision for your home.

Identify tree roots in your pipes with our cctv inspections and nabish them from your drains with our pip repairs and pipe relining.

Blocked Drain, CCTV Inspections & Pipe Relining
Make an Enquiry

Request a Quote

Fill out the form below to get in touch or call us today on
0488 823 113