Contrary to popular belief, toilets are not trash compactors. They don’t ‘swallow’ whatever you flush down them. Surprisingly, not everyone knows what seemingly harmless items don’t belong in the loo!
1. Flushable/baby wipes – “Flushable” and baby wipes are incorrectly named and do not disintegrate in water as quickly as toilet tissue does. They can lodge in sewer pipes and clog the toilet.
2. Cell phones – Hear that? That’s the sound of your cell phone getting stuck in the bathroom plumbing. If you flush your phone, you will be calling the plumber, guaranteed. Nearly one in five people drop their smart phones in the toilet.
3. Condoms – Condoms will clog your toilet and should be disposed of in the trash. Period. They are non-biodegradable.
4. Dental floss – Tossing seemingly harmless dental floss in the toilet seems like no big deal, but floss is a) not biodegradable, and b) bunches up and causes clogging.
5. Hair – Brushing your long beautiful mane or trimming your hipster beard over the toilet will form balls, cause clogs and trap odours. Always clean brushes over the trashcan. This goes for pet hair and fur as well.
6. Cotton swabs and cotton balls – They seem so small and innocent, but they gather in pipes and cause frustrating clogs.
7. Food – That ‘special’ bologna sandwich you pack for your child’s lunch five days a week? It might not be so special to them and being fed to your toilet. I unfortunately see food clogging toilets much more often than I should.
8. 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.
9. Cat litter – Cat litter is made to clump in contact with moisture. This means it clumps up your toilet. So, from now on, bag up your litter — poop and all — and dispose of it in the garbage.
10. Cigarette butts – Despite their small size, cigarette butts are not easily flushable. Toilets were made for your butt, not a cigarette.
By Zak Pishalski, Operations Manager, Reliance Home Comfort
