
We've all seen the advertisements for "flushable" products: flushable kitty litter, flushable skin cleansing pads, and, of course, flushable wipes. But is it okay to flush wipes down the toilet?
This plumber will tell you no way, not if you want to avoid clogged sewer pipes.
What Happens When You Flush Something Like Wipes?

This is what the insides of a corroded pipe look like. Water and waste no longer flows cleanly through the pipe, but instead gets stuck and collects on the sides.
It's a new trend, this "flushable" everything trend, but it's not one any plumber is fond of. Many materials are being marketed as flushable when really, most of them are not. The problem is both local and distant: they either are too bulky to be flushed and will clog your pipes near the source of entry to the plumbing system, or they will not break down, and they will get jammed further down the line and will stay there, interfering with the proper flow of sewage out of your home.
The latter problem becomes even more concerning if you have damaged your pipes in any way. Let's say you have galvanized steel sewer pipes, and over the years, the insides of those pipes have begun to corrode. Take a look at the image provided here of the inside of a pipe that is corroded. The rough edges inside the pipes catch things like wipes, Kleenex, and feminine products, which then start to collect along the insides of the pipes, narrowing the passage. The build up increases until a serious clog forms, often deep in the pipe system.
Another cause of corrosion is the use of caustic chemical drain cleaners, which are marketed as safe for pipes but are not. The chemical drain cleaner eats away at the pipes, causing rough surfaces (instead of smooth, slick surfaces) inside your pipes. Debris easily becomes caught on these rough surfaces, resulting in clogged drains.
Flushable Items that Aren't Really Flushable
The following is a list of items that are often marketed as flushable but actually will clog your pipes at one point or another:
- Wipes of any kind, whether they are for your face, your body, or your bottom
- Feminine products
- Paper towels
- Q-tips
- Kitty litter
- "Biodegradable" items (bags, towelettes, diaper products, etc.) that claim to break down quickly (because they will not break down quickly enough not to clog your pipes)
What Can I Flush Down the Toilet?
The bottom (get it - ha, ha) line is you do not want to put anything down your toilet other than organic matter and toilet paper, and even then, you should be careful about how much toilet paper you flush at one time. If you find you need to use a lot of toilet paper, flush multiple times during the session to make sure you don't clog your pipes.
Need Charlotte Drain Clearing Services?
Is it too late? Already got clogged drains? No worries! If you've got a clogged toilet or clogged drains, give us a call at 704.846.5371 and we'll get your drains sparkling clean.
Article Summary
Quick question & answer: Can you flush “flushable” wipes down the toilet?
The short answer is no. The majority of “flushable” products should not be flushed down your toilet. They are either too bulky for flushing and will clog up pipes or will not break down, jamming into the line and interfering with sewage flow out of your home. If you have corroded pipes, rough edges in the pipes can catch materials, forming a serious clog.