The trash can and the toilet have many similarities. Both receptacles keep unwanted waste out of sight and keep our living spaces hygienic and organized. One of the main differences between a trash can and a toilet, however, is that a toilet’s functionality hinges upon a well maintained sewer line. Flushing extraneous items down the can will ultimately lead to clogged sewer lines, and resulting in odiously offensive backups and expensive repairs.
The best way avoid plumber and sewer replacement and repair is by only flushing the appropriate items down the drain. Here are 5 items that you should NEVER flush down the toilet:
- Dental floss.
Dental floss is not a biodegradable item. When flushed down the toilet, dental floss could form massive tangled clumps and get caught in your sewer lining, leading to major clogs and backup. So next time, keep your pipe lining as clear as your chompers throw your floss in the trash. - Medication and Drugs.
You’ve probably scene this scene in a movie: a sweaty mobster scrambles into the bathroom and empties a baggy of mysterious white powder in the toilet, just in time for the cops to break down the door. But in the real world, this kind of behavior just won’t fly. While these items won’t necessary clog your toilet’s pipes, flushing drugs down the toilet poses threats to our water quality, and lead to water contamination. So maybe lay off the drugs in general, and save your water supply from contamination. - Paper Towels.
Though paper towels seem identical to toilet paper, paper towels are actually made of thicker material that doesn’t break down as easily in a sewer line. Avoid the mess and stick to TP for your hygienic toilet needs. - Food.
Hey silly, why are you bringing food into the bathroom in the first place?! That’s plain gross. While it may seem like food is a prime candidate for toilet flushing (it’s what comes out of us, after all), fats and oils are detrimental to the lining of pipes. Like arteries, pipes can get clogged with built up fat and grease, leading to blockage and ultimately, major toilet issues. If you’re trying to dispose of grease and cooking oils, fill them in a plastic bag and throw out in the garbage at your soonest convenience.
Are there lessons to be learned from this list of toilet contraband items? Absolutely. Toilets are not trash cans. So next time you want to throw something out, use the proper can!
