The Highest Level of LOVE.
Plumbing - Air - Electrical 803.302.3350

5 Common Household Items You Should Never Flush

Tissues. Baby wipes. Cotton balls. What do all of these items have in common? If you said, “they can usually be found in a bathroom” you’re correct, but that’s not quite what we were going for here. There are a number of common household items that can cause severe clogs if they’re disposed of in the toilet bowl. While it may seem far more convenient at times, your toilet bowl should never be treated like a trash can.

Even though some hygiene items claim they can be flushed, it’s always best to dispose of them in the garbage can instead. Toilet bowls are only designed to handle human waste as well as toilet paper, and that’s about it. Failing to adhere to these rules can leave you with a serious backup!

Here are a few common household items that belong in the trash, not in the toilet:

  1. Tissues: they may look at feel like toilet paper, but they typically do not break down as easily. As a result, flushing tissues can cause a backup in the drain and leave you with a broken down toilet.

  2. Baby Wipes: whether you typically use them on your child or on yourself, remember to always toss them in the trash. Lots of baby wipes on the market claim they are “flushable” but we’ve seen more times than one where “flushable’ wipes caused a major clog in the pipe.

  3. Cotton Balls: if you’ve ever used a cotton ball in conjunction with any type of liquid (i.e. rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover) you probably noticed that it expands a bit when it gets wet. This is also the case when you toss them in the toilet and as a result, they can cause a stoppage in the line.

  4. Dental Floss: while it is quite thin and doesn’t necessarily look like it would cause major problems, avoid tossing dental floss into the bowl. It’s just another item that does not break down properly and can get stuck inside your pipes.

  5. Toys: this may sound like a bit of a no-brainer, but your kids think otherwise. We all know how curious children can be and sometimes their curiosity can get them into some trouble. Remind your kids to keep their toys in a designated play area, and keep them out of the toilet at all costs!

If the water in your toilet is coming up instead of going down, contact us today for fast and effective clogged toilet repair. Our Columbia plumbing experts can quickly and safely remove the issue and get you back in business. Call Love Plumbing, Air & Electrical today at (803) 302-3350.