8 Things Experts Say You Should Never Flush Down the Toilet
Just because it fits doesn’t mean it belongs.
Expert consulted: Dan DiClericoHome Improvement & Outdoor Director
I’ll be the first to say that I’ve taken my toilet for granted. I’ve never had any issues with plumbing (thankfully), and I’d like to think it’s because I’m pretty mindful of what I do flush. That being said, I’ve let that mindset slip here and there. If something is small, soft or labeled “flushable,” I’d flush it, assuming it would just… go away. No harm done. But the more I’ve learned about what actually happens beyond the bowl, the more I’ve realized how misleading that instinct is.
Unlike obvious household messes, plumbing problems rarely announce themselves right away. They build quietly, over time, thanks to habits we repeat without thinking. According to Dan DiClerico, Home Improvement & Outdoor Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, many of the worst clogs aren’t caused by one bad decision; they’re the result of flushing the wrong things again and again until pipes can’t cope anymore.
What makes this tricky is that some of the most damaging items don’t look dangerous at all. They resembletoilet paper, feel disposable or are marketed as safe to flush. But once they’re in your plumbing—and especially once they reach public sewer systems—the consequences can be expensive, messy and hard to undo.
Here’s what experts say should never go down your toilet—and why.
“Flushable” wipes
Despite the label, many wipes don’t break down properly. “A lot of flushable wipes don’t disintegrate to the point where they safely make their way through your home’s plumbing,” DiClerico explains. Even when they clear your pipes, they can cause serious damage farther downstream in municipal sewer systems.
Paper products
Paper products, including paper towels, are engineered to stay strong when wet, which makes them especially risky to flush. DiClerico says paper products that aren’t plumbing-safe and are among the most common causes of serious clogs because they don’t dissolve the way toilet paper does.
Tissues and napkins
This actually surprised me—I’m no stranger to blowing my nose and flushing the tissue down the toilet. They may look interchangeable with toilet paper, but they’re not. “It’s easy to think they’re the same as toilet paper,” DiClerico says, “when in fact they’re the leading cause of clogged toilets.” Over time, repeated flushing can quietly create stubborn blockages.
Feminine hygiene products
Tampons and pads are designed to absorb liquid and expand—exactly what you don’t want happening inside pipes. DiClerico notes that these products are frequent offenders when plumbers investigate major toilet clogs, even if they’re flushed one at a time.
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Condoms
They don’t dissolve, stretch easily, and can snag inside pipes. “Believe it or not, we hear a lot of horror stories involving condoms,” DiClerico says. Once caught, they can trap other debris and gradually form a blockage that’s tough to clear. Throw these in the trash instead.
Kids’ toys
Small toys accidentally flushed can become the starting point for major problems. DiClerico explains that something like a LEGO can get lodged in a pipe, then collect paper or hair around it, “gradually narrowing the pipe to the point where water no longer gets through.”
Hair
Hair doesn’t dissolve and tangles easily with other debris. Flushed repeatedly, it can contribute to slow-forming clogs—the kind that build quietly and only show themselves once there’s a backup.
Ultra-plush toilet paper
That’s right: even toilet paper itself can be problematic. Extra-soft, ultra-thick varieties “take longer to break down,” DiClerico explains—especially in homes with older plumbing or septic systems—increasing the risk of clogs over time.
When in doubt, DiClerico keeps it simple: “Find a toilet paper that you like that’s also easy on your home’s plumbing and make it the only thing you flush — along with bodily waste.” Everything else belongs in the trash.
Noah Cortez is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor writing about
travel, culture, food, and lifestyle. Prior to this, he was a social media
editor at GQ Magazine, Complex, and Conde Nast Traveler, and his writing
has been featured in Tripadvisor, Hotels Above Par, Conde Nast Traveler,
and more. Find out more at noahcortez.com.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
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