Are Wet Wipes Really Flushable?

Do you ever think about what goes down your toilet after you flush? Aside from the regular human waste, what else goes down the drain on your property?

Monitoring the products being put down your pipes is a good idea, as you can easily damage sewer pipes and cause blockages.

While it might seem simpler to just wash stuff down the drain, you could be causing more harm than you think. It’s best to stick to flushing only toilet paper and human waste. Even though your pipes are sturdy and built to handle high pressure, some household items can still spell trouble for your drains over time.

Disposable wipes are a product that is unsafe for putting down your drainage system.

The only’ flushable products’ are toilet paper, water and human waste. No flushable wet wipe,

Should You Flush Wet Wipes Down The Toilet?

The simple answer is no—don’t flush wet wipes or paper towels. Despite what labels might claim, even 'flushable’ wipes are designed to hold onto water, making them unsuitable for flushing. Be wary of misleading branding as these wipes are rarely genuinely flushable. Companies may use certain terms or branding to appeal to consumers, but their assurances aren’t always reliable.

Non-flushable wipes are strong enough to stay intact for some time. On the other hand, toilet paper is biodegradable and specifically designed to break down effectively once wet. Toilet paper can quickly disintegrate, whereas wet wipes for babies and other so-called "flushable baby wipes" are made from thicker material and synthetic fibres and take much longer to break apart.

Flushable wipes don’t break down easily, which can lead to blockages in both your home and city plumbing systems. The main issue with these wipes in wastewater systems is the high risk of clogs. Flushing them often will eventually lead to serious blockages across the sewage system. They tend to stick to the pipes and join other debris, which can cause major plumbing headaches.

In the end, you’ll need a high-pressure jet blaster to clear the drainage system, which can be quite expensive. This task is best left to the professionals. Sure, baby wipes work wonders for personal hygiene, and disinfecting wipes are great for surfaces around the home. But remember, even though they’re strong, they’re not meant for your sewerage system.

You can easily throw it in the garbage bin when you are finished. Anything labelled 'flushable’ or biodegradable flushable wipes is a problem for your sewer or toilet drain.

You should only use the safest material for the environment and your home’s plumbing system. Toilet paper, water, and human waste are safe to flush, but flushable wipes are not.

What Should Go Down Your Sink?

Non-flushable objects and materials should be disposed of in a suitable garbage unit. This will help prevent blockages and harmful chemicals from entering our wastewater system—and it doesn’t just stop at your toilet system.

The same rule applies to your kitchen and bathroom drains. Certain cooking products, like vegetable oil, are very thick in consistency, and once they cool down, they might harden and attach to pipe walls. Small food products can escape down your sink.

You will be left with a foul odour from rotting food inside the pipework of your kitchen.

In the bathroom, hair and soapy products like shampoo can build up over time and wash down the sink. These are major culprits when it comes to blockages in the shower drain.

Clearing a clogged sink takes time and can affect other areas of your home and plumbing.

What Can You Do for your Toilets and Drains

Avoid flushing “flushable wipes” down the toilet. It’s best to stick with just water and toilet paper. Unlike regular toilet paper, wipes don’t break down easily.

They are made to hold water very well, making it a problem for pipelines and the environment.

In your kitchen, search for a good drain strainer. You can find these in your nearest hardware store. They can catch stray food items before being washed down the sink. When you are finished cooking, pour the leftover oil into a garbage bag and dispose of it in the bin.

Make the better choice for your property and keep non-flushable objects like wet wipes out of the drains.

Think Twice Before You Flush

While some wet wipe products claim to be flushable, they can cause serious issues for your plumbing system and the environment. Wet wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, leading to blocked pipes, costly repairs, and potential damage to municipal sewer systems. To protect your home and avoid plumbing headaches, it’s best to throw wet wipes in the bin instead of flushing them down the toilet.

If you’re facing plumbing issues caused by flushed wet wipes or need professional advice to keep your plumbing in good shape, Fixed Today Plumbing is here to help. Our expert team is ready to assist with all your toilet and plumbing needs. Call, email, or visit our contact page today for a free quote.