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What NOT to Flush Down the Toilet

What Can and Can’t Go Down the Toilet

With so many more Americans at home during the day due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, residential plumbing is being used more now than ever before. To keep your home’s plumbing working properly, make sure you know what should and should not go down the drain.

Can I Flush Wipes Down the Toilet?

No, flushable wipes cannot go down the toilet and there’s a reason that this is one of the most Googled questions related to home plumbing. “Flushable” wipes are not flushable. Keep in mind that when you purchase “flushable” wipes, they’re marked as such by marketing companies and manufacturers, not plumbing professionals. While these “flushable” wipes may say that they don’t harm your plumbing system on the packaging, they do.

Most wet wipes that are marketed as “flushable” and “septic-safe” are not flushable or septic-safe. While these wipes will eventually break down, they don’t break down as quickly as toilet paper. If you flush wet wipes down the toilet, you may see clogged pipes and other plumbing blockages requiring professional repair.

“Flushable” Wipes Cause Ragging

When wet wipes are flushed down the toilet, they get caught with other items in the sewer line. These other items include sanitary pads, tampons, thick toilet paper, facial tissues, hair, and more. When these items catch up with each other, it creates a problem in the plumbing known as “ragging.” If this happens, you may face significant plumbing repair bills. It’s best to avoid “flushable” wipes altogether.

Can I Flush Tampons?

No, tampons cannot go down the toilet. Tampons are one of the most commonly-flushed items other than toilet paper. Tampons also cause ragging when flushed down the toilet and can result in costly plumbing bills. While many people may flush their tampons down the toilet after use, this is not recommended, even by the manufacturers.
For example, on the Tampax website, they state that tampons “are biodegradable in landfills, but flushing them is not ideal for tampon disposal. Tampons cannot be processed by wastewater-treatment facilities, and they can harm septic systems. Please help us help the environment by disposing of tampons securely in the trash. That way, we can all do our part for the environment.”

Can Kleenex Go Down the Toilet?

what can i flush down my toilet vancouver washington

Avoid battling a nasty clog and only flush toilet paper and waste down the toilet. Call us at Summit Plumbing for any plumbing emergencies!


No, do not flush Kleenex down the toilet. Kleenex and other facial tissues do not have the same composition as toilet paper and may cause clogs. Since facial tissue doesn’t break down in the plumbing system the same way that toilet paper does, it can lead to blockages in the pipes at bends and other junctions. To be safe, don’t flush anything other than toilet paper and “the obvious” down the toilet.

Can I Flush Paper Towels?

No, paper towels cannot go down the toilet. If you run out of toilet paper and must use something else, then it’s best to dispose of it in the garbage rather than down the toilet. Ignoring this advice can cost homeowners a lot of money in avoidable plumbing repairs.

Can Napkins Be Flushed?

No, napkins cannot be flushed down the toilet. As mentioned before, flushing paper products other than toilet paper down the toilet can create clogs and blockages in your home’s plumbing. Do not flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet.

Can Cat Litter Go Down the Toilet?

No, do not put cat litter down the toilet, even if the packaging says it’s “flushable.” Cat litter tends to linger in the pipes and cause a myriad of plumbing issues. Use biodegradable doggie bags when cleaning out the litter box instead of flushing it down the toilet!

Can Hair Go Down the Toilet?

No, do not flush hair down the toilet. If you find that you’re fishing hair clogs out of the sink and shower all the time, don’t then throw those clumps of hair into the toilet. Throw the hair away in the garbage to save your plumbing!

Can I Flush Diapers Down the Toilet?

No. One of the most common causes of severe toilet clogs is diapers. While diapers are meant to hold human waste, they’re not appropriate to flush down the toilet. The plastics and cotton in most disposable diapers will wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing.

Can Food Go Down the Toilet?

No, do not flush food down the toilet. While your little ones may be tempted to get rid of those dreaded vegetables down the commode, this can have disastrous consequences for your wallet if you have to call for emergency plumbing repairs.

Can I Flush my Pet Fish Down the Toilet?

No. Don’t flush your dead fish down the toilet. A popular way to say goodbye to our finned friends is to send them “back to the ocean” through the toilet. However, this is not a good way to grieve if you want to keep your plumbing working properly. We suggest holding a memorial service for your beloved fish outside and disposing of its earthly body in the garbage or by burial.

Can Expired Pills Go Down the Toilet?

No, do not flush your expired medication down the toilet. The chemicals in pills can make their way into the water treatment center or the groundwater, which can have disastrous effects on wildlife and public health. Make sure to properly dispose of expired pills and other medication through a community medicine take-back program.

Can I Flush Dental Floss Down the Toilet?

No, dental floss cannot be flushed down the toilet. Floss can get tangled with other debris in the sewage system, causing blockages. Dispose of dental floss in a small trashcan in the bathroom to dissuade you from tossing it in the convenient commode.


How Can Summit Plumbing Help You?

Is your toilet clogged? Call the professional plumbers at Summit Plumbing in Vancouver to help you out! We also provide a variety of both residential and commercial plumbing services such as water heater repair and installation. Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our contractors!

Posted on by Summit-admin
What NOT to Flush Down the Toilet

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