10 Things You Should Never Flush Down Your Toilet

Most of us seem to think of our toilets as a trash disposal; if it fits down the toilet, it is safe to flush, but that’s absolutely the wrong thought process and logic.  Your toilets and septic systems are designed to handle only human waste, wastewater, and toilet paper, nothing else. If you keep flushing anything and everything down your toilet, you run the risk of clogging your pipes, overloading the septic system, and losing money and sleep, because septic repairs and replacements are quite expensive, and can run from hundreds to thousands of dollars. 

In this blog, we will tell you all about the things you should never ever flush down the toilets, as over time, they can cause damage to your septic system. Also, apart from taking this precaution, you should regularly schedule septic pumping services from an Albuquerque Septic Company to prevent avoidable septic problems like sewage backups, clogging, and overloaded septic tanks, and to keep your septic system working efficiently for years. 

What You Should Never Flush to Keep Your Septic System Safe

1. Sanitary Products 

Pads and tampons should not be flushed down the toilet because they are made to absorb fluids and don’t decompose in water, meaning they will remain intact in your septic tank without breaking down, clogging your pipes.

2. Facial Wipes 

Another common thing not to flush down your toilet is face wipes, since they don't dissolve in water and can badly clog your drain pipes. Because they are not truly flushable and remain whole as they pass through your septic system, they clump and create clogs. Even "flushable" wipes that are labeled as safe should be tossed in your trash can.

3. Diapers 

Flushing diapers down the toilet is an absolute no-no because they are highly liquid-absorbent and non-biodegradable in nature. If you flush them down the toilet, they absorb more liquid in your septic tank and expand, plus they also remain in your septic tank and can cause it to overload, leading to clogging pipes and sewage backups. 

4. Cotton Buds

Another small item that can cause serious issues with your septic system is cotton buds or Q-tips. Q-tips can stick to your drain pipes and collect over time as they don’t break down, resulting in clogged pipes. 

5. Hair & Dental Floss

These wastes should also be kept far away from your toilet as they can collect in your drain pipe and create a "net" that stops and collects other wastes, clogging your pipes and causing sewage backups in your home. 

6. Cigarette Filters

Flushing cigarette butts down the toilet can contaminate your water supply, and they’re also non-biodegradable.

7. Cat Litter 

Flushing cat litter down the toilet is not a great idea because when cat litter comes into contact with moisture, it clumps and hardens inside your pipes, causing a septic blockage. 

8. Medication 

Medicines of any type must always be disposed of appropriately, and not down your toilet to avoid contaminating your water supply. 

9. Plastic & Rubber Items

Flushing rubber or plastic items like hair ties or plastic wraps down the toilet is absolutely discouraged because these materials don't decompose in water, and can easily become twisted in the pipes and cause clogging. 

10. Cooking Oil & Greases 

You should never pour any kind of cooking oil or grease in your toilet because it will solidify in your pipes after cooling, causing a sticky mess in your pipes that will lead to clogged pipes and septic blockage. 

The simplest way to safeguard your septic system is to avoid flushing non-biodegradable and toxic items down your sink or toilets, which lowers the chance of backups, clogs, and system failures. If you’re experiencing sewage backups or clogged pipes, you can call 505 Portable Restrooms for septic pumping and cleaning services in Albuquerque.