Don’t Flush These Items
It is a scene that has become familiar across the world: rows of empty supermarket shelves where toilet paper used to be – the result of coronavirus-induced panic buying. This household staple has been consistently out of stock during the coronavirus outbreak causing an actual toilet paper crisis. Now, if you’re one of the many who cannot seem to get your hands on this few and far between item, you may be tempted to use things that your toilet would otherwise disagree with. In the midst of everything we have going on in the world right now, a clogged toilet is the last thing we need happening.
Nothing is worse than finishing your business and reaching for the toilet paper just to find nothing but an empty roll – we’ve all been here before. This fear sinks in when we see the bare shelves staring blankly back at us in the supermarket. It is beginning to make people seek alternatives; and as tempting as it is to flush nearly anything down the toilet, doing this can damage septic tanks and cause a lot of damage. Not to worry though, below we have some COVID-19 specific items to avoid flushing down your toilet:
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Sanitary Wipes:
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Sanitary wipes are also a hot commodity during the COVID-19 pandemic, so if you’re lucky enough to find some of your own, they still should not be flushed!
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Paper Towels and Tissues:
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You would think paper towels or tissues are close enough, right? Wrong! This one is important as the shortage of toilet paper is leading people to rely on paper towels or tissues instead, but they shouldn’t go down the drain. Instead, throw them in the trash.
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Baby Wipes:
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Even the ones that say they’re flushable. Baby wipes are frequently the cause of clogs and should always be thrown in the trash instead.
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Feminine Products:
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These products are meant to absorb water, not break down in it, meaning they’ll only expand when you flush them – and that’s a terrible idea for your plumbing. Feminine products should never be flushed down the toilet.
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Cotton Balls and Q-tips
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These are definitely not safe to flush down the toilet. Cotton balls or q-tips will only lead to them clumping together in your pipes and causing a recipe for disaster.
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What does that leave?
Not a whole lot. Human waste and regular toilet paper are the only things you should flush down your toilet. If you’re unsure if something can go down the toilet, it probably can’t. Otherwise, just throw it in the trash. Stay safe!
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