Your plumbing system is designed to handle two things: water and toilet paper. Everything else belongs in the trash. Yet many household items that seem harmless — or are even labeled as 'flushable' — cause serious blockages and damage to home plumbing and municipal sewer systems every day. Here's what to keep out of your drains and toilets.
'Flushable' Wipes
Despite the label, wipes of all kinds — baby wipes, makeup wipes, cleaning wipes, and so-called 'flushable' personal wipes — do not break down the way toilet paper does. They remain largely intact in plumbing systems, catching on pipe joints, roots, and buildup until a blockage forms. These wipes are one of the primary causes of sewer main blockages nationwide. Always discard wipes in the trash.
Paper Towels and Tissues
Paper towels and tissues are designed to be durable — which is the exact opposite of what you want in a sewer system. Unlike toilet paper, which is engineered to dissolve quickly in water, these products hold together and contribute to clogs. They belong in the trash, not the toilet.
Grease, Oils, and Fats (Drains)
The golden rule of kitchen plumbing: grease and fat never go down the drain. These substances are liquid when hot and solidify as they cool inside pipes, creating a sticky layer that traps food particles and builds into a severe blockage over time. Cool grease in a container and dispose of it in the trash.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds seem harmless, but they accumulate in pipes and combine with grease and soap residue to create tough blockages. Compost coffee grounds or dispose of them in the trash.
Feminine Hygiene Products
Tampons, pads, and similar products are designed to absorb liquid and expand — exactly the wrong properties for a sewer system. These products don't break down and are a common cause of toilet and main line clogs. Always use the trash.
Medication
Flushing unused medication is an environmental concern — many pharmaceuticals pass through water treatment systems and affect aquatic ecosystems. Most pharmacies and communities have medication take-back programs for safe disposal.
Dental Floss, Hair, and Cotton
Dental floss tangles around pipe components and creates a net that catches other debris. Hair behaves similarly, accumulating in drain traps and combining with soap to form stubborn clogs. Use a drain screen to catch hair, and dispose of floss and cotton in the trash.