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.

Washing anything down your sewer systems may seem more straightforward, but you are doing more harm than you realise.

The best rule is to flush only toilet paper and human waste. Even though pipes are durable and made to withstand high pressure, certain household items will cause problems for your drains in the long term.

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 short answer is no. Items like wet wipes and paper towels should not be flushed down the toilet. Flushable toilet wipes, wet wipes, and other disposable wipes are designed to hold water. They’re non-flushable, despite their label. Many flushable wipe manufacturers label their products 'flushable,' but be careful with these claims. Be aware of false labels and misleading branding for certain household products, as flushable wipes are rare. Some industries use specific wording or branding to appeal to people, but their claims may not always be accurate.

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 stay intact, leading to clogs in your plumbing system and municipal plumbing systems. The problem with wiping down wastewater systems is the risk of clogged pipes. Flushing wipes often will eventually clog up the raw sewage and sewer system. They might get stuck to the pipework and join, obstructing the line and causing significant plumbing problems.

Eventually, the drainage system must be cleared using a high-pressure jet blaster. This can be costly, and only professional plumbers can do it. Baby wipes are great for personal hygiene and cleaning babies, and disinfecting wipes are perfect for surfaces around your home. These are built thick and strong, but they are not suitable 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.

Hair and soapy products like shampoo in your bathroom can build up and wash down the sink. Hair and soap in the shower drain are significant causes of bathroom drain blockages.

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

Do not flush ’ flushable wipes’ down your toilet drain. It would be best if you stuck to flushing water and toilet paper. Wipes cannot break down like standard toilet paper.

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.