What Can and Cannot Be Flushed Down the Toilet: A Guide to Flushing Safely

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What Can You Flush Down The Toilet?

The toilet is a convenient way to dispose of waste, but it’s not a garbage disposal. There are many things that should not be flushed down the toilet, as they can clog pipes, damage your plumbing, or even pollute the environment.

In this article, we’ll discuss what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet, and provide tips for keeping your plumbing in good working order. We’ll also discuss the environmental impact of flushing certain items down the toilet, and offer some alternative disposal methods.

What Can You Flush Down The Toilet? Yes No
Toilet paper Yes No
Urine Yes No
Feces Yes No
Paper towels No Yes
Diapers No Yes
Q-tips No Yes

What Can Be Flushed Down the Toilet?

Solids, liquids, household items, and other items can be flushed down the toilet. However, it is important to know what can and cannot be flushed in order to avoid clogging your pipes.

Solids

Solids that can be flushed down the toilet include:

  • Toilet paper
  • Facial tissue
  • Paper towels
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Cat litter
  • Dog waste
  • Coffee grounds
  • Hair
  • Sawdust

Liquids

Liquids that can be flushed down the toilet include:

  • Water
  • Urine
  • Toilet bowl cleaner
  • Drain cleaner
  • Bleach
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Vinegar
  • Soapy water

Household Items

Household items that can be flushed down the toilet include:

  • Small toys
  • Coins
  • Bobby pins
  • Q-tips
  • Toothbrushes
  • Dental floss
  • Band-Aids
  • Tampons
  • Diapers

Other Items

Other items that can be flushed down the toilet include:

  • Pet waste
  • Food waste
  • Yard waste
  • Construction debris
  • Firewood
  • Paint
  • Motor oil
  • Gasoline

What Can’t Be Flushed Down the Toilet?

There are a number of items that should not be flushed down the toilet, as they can damage your pipes or the environment.

Hazardous materials

Hazardous materials, such as paint thinner, gasoline, and motor oil, should never be flushed down the toilet. These materials can contaminate the water supply and harm aquatic life.

Medical waste

Medical waste, such as syringes, needles, and bandages, should not be flushed down the toilet. These items can puncture your pipes and cause serious injuries.

Food waste

Food waste, such as banana peels, apple cores, and potato skins, should not be flushed down the toilet. These items can clog your pipes and attract pests.

Other items

Other items that should not be flushed down the toilet include:

  • Diapers
  • Tampons
  • Sanitary napkins
  • Cigarette butts
  • Grease
  • Oil
  • Paint
  • Concrete
  • Rocks

It is important to know what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet in order to avoid damaging your pipes or the environment. If you are unsure whether an item can be flushed, it is best to err on the side of caution and throw it away.

What Can You Flush Down the Toilet?

The toilet is a convenient way to dispose of waste, but it’s important to know what can and cannot be flushed. Some items, such as paper towels, diapers, and feminine hygiene products, can clog your pipes and cause other problems.

Here is a list of items that you can flush down the toilet:

  • Toilet paper
  • Urine
  • Feces
  • Liquids (such as water, milk, and juice)
  • Small amounts of solid food (such as banana peels, apple cores, and bread crusts)

How to Flush the Toilet Properly

To flush the toilet properly, follow these steps:

1. Remove any large objects from the toilet bowl. This includes items such as paper towels, diapers, and feminine hygiene products.
2. Add a small amount of toilet paper to the bowl. This will help to create a seal and prevent solids from backing up into the toilet.
3. Flush the toilet. Be sure to flush the toilet until all of the water has drained from the bowl.

Don’t Flush These Items Down the Toilet

There are a number of items that should not be flushed down the toilet, as they can cause clogs, damage to your pipes, or other problems. These items include:

  • Diapers. Diapers are not designed to be flushed down the toilet. They can clog your pipes and create a breeding ground for bacteria.
  • Paper towels. Paper towels are not biodegradable and can clog your pipes.
  • Feminine hygiene products. Feminine hygiene products should be disposed of in the trash, not the toilet. They can clog your pipes and cause other problems.
  • Pet waste. Pet waste should be disposed of in the trash, not the toilet. It can contain bacteria that can contaminate your water supply.
  • Hazardous materials. Hazardous materials, such as paint thinner, gasoline, and bleach, should never be flushed down the toilet. They can contaminate your water supply and pose a health hazard.
  • Medical waste. Medical waste should be disposed of in the trash or taken to a medical waste disposal facility. It can contain pathogens that can cause infections.
  • Food waste. Food waste should be disposed of in the trash, not the toilet. It can attract pests and create a breeding ground for bacteria.

What to Do If You Flush Something Down the Toilet That Shouldn’t Have Been Flushed

If you accidentally flush something down the toilet that shouldn’t have been flushed, there are a few things you can do.

  • Call a plumber. A plumber can help you to remove the item from your pipes and prevent further damage.
  • Use a plunger. A plunger can help to dislodge the item and push it back up into the toilet bowl.
  • Try to fish the item out yourself. You can try to fish the item out of the toilet bowl using a long, thin object, such as a coat hanger or a wire hanger.

The toilet is a convenient way to dispose of waste, but it’s important to know what can and cannot be flushed. By following these tips, you can help to keep your plumbing system running smoothly and avoid costly repairs.

What Can You Flush Down The Toilet?

  • Solid waste: Toilet paper, human waste, and other solid waste that is biodegradable and will break down in the sewer system can be flushed down the toilet.
  • Liquid waste: Water, urine, and other liquids that are not harmful to the sewer system can be flushed down the toilet.
  • Other items: The following items should not be flushed down the toilet:
  • Diapers
  • Sanitary napkins
  • Tampons
  • Q-tips
  • Paper towels
  • Grease
  • Oil
  • Paint
  • Chemicals
  • Medicine

Why Shouldn’t You Flush These Items Down The Toilet?

  • Diapers, sanitary napkins, and tampons: These items can clog your toilet and cause sewage backups. They can also damage the sewer system.
  • Q-tips, paper towels, and grease: These items can also clog your toilet and cause sewage backups. They can also attract pests.
  • Grease and oil: These items can solidify in the sewer system and cause blockages. They can also release harmful chemicals into the environment.
  • Paint, chemicals, and medicine: These items can be harmful to the environment and to the people who work in the sewer system. They can also damage the sewer system.

What Should You Do With These Items?

  • Diapers, sanitary napkins, and tampons: These items should be disposed of in a trash can.
  • Q-tips, paper towels, and grease: These items should be disposed of in a trash can or recycling bin.
  • Grease and oil: These items should be allowed to cool and solidify before being disposed of in a trash can.
  • Paint, chemicals, and medicine: These items should be disposed of according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

How Can I Keep My Toilet From Clogging?

  • Flush only solid waste and liquids that are biodegradable and will break down in the sewer system.
  • Don’t flush diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, Q-tips, paper towels, grease, oil, paint, chemicals, or medicine down the toilet.
  • Rinse food scraps before putting them in the garbage disposal.
  • Don’t pour grease or oil down the sink.
  • Keep your toilet clean by flushing it regularly and scrubbing it with a toilet brush.

By following these tips, you can help keep your toilet from clogging and prevent damage to your sewer system.

In this article, we discussed the different types of things that can be flushed down the toilet. We learned that only toilet paper, human waste, and other biodegradable materials should be flushed down the toilet. Flushing other items, such as wipes, diapers, and feminine hygiene products, can cause clogs and other problems in the sewer system.

We also learned about the importance of flushing the toilet properly. When flushing, it is important to use enough water to completely flush the waste away. It is also important to avoid flushing too often, as this can also contribute to clogs.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your toilet running smoothly and prevent costly repairs.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

  • Only toilet paper, human waste, and other biodegradable materials should be flushed down the toilet.
  • Flushing other items, such as wipes, diapers, and feminine hygiene products, can cause clogs and other problems in the sewer system.
  • It is important to flush the toilet properly by using enough water and flushing only when necessary.
  • By following these tips, you can help to keep your toilet running smoothly and prevent costly repairs.

Author Profile

Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell is the owner of toiletty.com. She is a mom of two and is very passionate about home improvement.

Liana has ten years of home improvement experience, and in her own words, she said: “I love improving the home, and I’m very passionate about keeping the home in the best possible condition. I love it!”

Liana Farrell balances beauty and functionality when she goes about her home improvement jobs.