10 Things You Shouldn’t Flush Down the Toilet
Heed this professional advice on what should not go down the toilet and how to unclog a toilet
Toilets are not trash compactors. They don’t “swallow” whatever you flush down them. Surprisingly, not everyone knows this, so seemingly harmless items make their way into the toilet and cause problems. Randomly flushing objects can have costly implications for your pipes, far beyond a clogged toilet.
To help you save your pipes, and your wallet, here are 10 things you should never flush down your toilet, and a little advice for you the next time you have to use a plunger.
To help you save your pipes, and your wallet, here are 10 things you should never flush down your toilet, and a little advice for you the next time you have to use a plunger.
6. Cat litter. Cat litter is made to clump when it comes into contact with moisture. If you put it in your toilet, it will clump up in your toilet or in the pipes. So from now on, bag up your litter — poop and all — and dispose of it in the garbage. If you’re looking for a new cat litter box design, check out these 15 ideas.
7. Cotton swabs and cotton balls. They seem so small and innocent, but they gather in pipes and cause frustrating clogs.
8. Food. You know that “special” sandwich you pack in your kid’s lunch? It might not be so “special” to them and may be finding its way into the toilet. I unfortunately see toilets clogged with food much more often than I should.
9. Fish/small pets. Please find a home for unwanted pets. Flushing them down the toilet is not only inhumane, it’s irresponsible. There’s no way they’re going to disintegrate in the toilet water and there’s a good chance they’ll create a clog.
10. Cigarette butts. Despite their small size, cigarette butts are not easily flushable. Toilets were made for your butt, not cigarette butts.
7. Cotton swabs and cotton balls. They seem so small and innocent, but they gather in pipes and cause frustrating clogs.
8. Food. You know that “special” sandwich you pack in your kid’s lunch? It might not be so “special” to them and may be finding its way into the toilet. I unfortunately see toilets clogged with food much more often than I should.
9. Fish/small pets. Please find a home for unwanted pets. Flushing them down the toilet is not only inhumane, it’s irresponsible. There’s no way they’re going to disintegrate in the toilet water and there’s a good chance they’ll create a clog.
10. Cigarette butts. Despite their small size, cigarette butts are not easily flushable. Toilets were made for your butt, not cigarette butts.
How to Unclog a Toilet With a Plunger
If one of those 10 things does make its way into your toilet, you might be looking at clogged bathroom pipes. Unclogging the toilet is often aggravating, but let’s look at the easiest way to unclog the toilet yourself: a plunger.
There is a right way and a wrong way to use a plunger. The key is to plunge gently, creating a vacuum, and then pull vigorously. Unfortunately, most people think pushing in the plunger hard will help, but in most cases, it worsens the clog and may break the seal of the gasket found between the toilet and the floor.
Different Styles of Plungers
Cup plunger. This is your most common plunger. Most have a wooden handle with a red suction cup. Consumers who purchase this type of plunger often have some success. It is more useful for kitchen and bathroom sinks than toilets, as it needs a flat surface to create a vacuum. Although some plungers can be used on both sinks and toilets, we don’t recommend this, as it is not hygienic and it will create cross contamination.
Flange plunger. This provides a better seal than the cup plunger because of its shape, and it creates greater pressure. The flange can be folded in to be a cup-style plunger or pressed out to create a better fit inside the toilet bowl. Use with the flange out for best results.
Accordion plunger. This plunger has a folding, flexible side, as the name accordion would imply, and is usually made from hard plastic. It is great for toilet drains that are not round. It is usually the most difficult of the three styles to operate. While they can be affective, they can scratch a toilet if not used correctly.
If the clog persists after plunging, then it is time to call a local professional to address the issue.
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If one of those 10 things does make its way into your toilet, you might be looking at clogged bathroom pipes. Unclogging the toilet is often aggravating, but let’s look at the easiest way to unclog the toilet yourself: a plunger.
There is a right way and a wrong way to use a plunger. The key is to plunge gently, creating a vacuum, and then pull vigorously. Unfortunately, most people think pushing in the plunger hard will help, but in most cases, it worsens the clog and may break the seal of the gasket found between the toilet and the floor.
Different Styles of Plungers
Cup plunger. This is your most common plunger. Most have a wooden handle with a red suction cup. Consumers who purchase this type of plunger often have some success. It is more useful for kitchen and bathroom sinks than toilets, as it needs a flat surface to create a vacuum. Although some plungers can be used on both sinks and toilets, we don’t recommend this, as it is not hygienic and it will create cross contamination.
Flange plunger. This provides a better seal than the cup plunger because of its shape, and it creates greater pressure. The flange can be folded in to be a cup-style plunger or pressed out to create a better fit inside the toilet bowl. Use with the flange out for best results.
Accordion plunger. This plunger has a folding, flexible side, as the name accordion would imply, and is usually made from hard plastic. It is great for toilet drains that are not round. It is usually the most difficult of the three styles to operate. While they can be affective, they can scratch a toilet if not used correctly.
If the clog persists after plunging, then it is time to call a local professional to address the issue.
More
The Absolute Right Way to Hang Toilet Paper. Maybe
Find a plumber in your area
Search for a toilet plunger
2. Phones. Hear that? That’s the sound of your smartphone getting stuck in the bathroom plumbing. If you or a family member flushes a cellphone down the toilet, you’re probably going to need to call the plumber. This issue is more common than you might think. A study from 2011 estimated that 19 percent of people have dropped their phone in the toilet.
3. Condoms. Condoms will clog your toilet and should be disposed of in the trash, especially because most are not biodegradable.
4. Dental floss. Tossing dental floss in the toilet seems harmless, but floss is not usually biodegradable and will bunch up in your pipes, causing clogs.
5. Hair. Brushing your long, beautiful mane or trimming your beard over the toilet can form clogs in your pipes over time and trap odors. Always clean brushes over a trash can. This also applies to pet hair and fur.