“Flushing things down the toilet” is such a common way to dispose of something that it’s become a metaphor in itself for getting rid of many things in a quick and easy way. There are many items that are flushable, but Americans tend to get pretty creative (and hopeful) when it comes to disposal. Keep in mind that even if a product says it’s flushable, that might not always be the case. And if you’re a homeowner? It’s more time consuming and costly to have a plumber come snake a drain when something could have easily been disposed of in the trash or another acceptable route. Even worse, flushing some things can be harmful to the environment (so you won’t be winning any karma points there). Take a look at these items many people think are flushable, but actually aren’t. Keep your pipes healthy and those emergency plumbing calls to a minimum while being a little kinder to the environment in the process. 1. Flushable wipes. This includes everything from baby wipes to those “adult wipes” that are being touted as the perfect complement to toilet paper. In fact, even toilet paper in excess (more than about five regular sheets) can clog those drains. Instead, make use of that small garbage can by the toilet and play it safe. Wipes are denser than toilet paper and, even if the manufacturer means well, they can really do a number on toilet pipes. 2. Cat litter. Some brands of cat litter are marketed as flushable, but you probably wouldn’t scoop mounds of sand into your toilet, right? That’s essentially what kitty litter is, along with whatever prizes Fluffy has left for you. Plus, there’s the risk of spilling litter (which can be dangerous for little ones, pregnant women and the elderly) in an area where people are often barefoot. Instead, opt for an exclusive kitty-litter garbage can outside. 3. Toilet paper. Toilet paper is, of course, flushable, but it’s all about quantity (with a little quality thrown in). No toilet can handle mounds of toilet paper, especially when it’s the plushy double-ply type. Keep TP flushings to no more than five sheets or risk a plumbing emergency. 4. Other wipes. Makeup wipes, furniture-cleaning wipes, vehicle-cleaning wipes—the number of wipes on the market is nearly endless. And for some reason, people just love to flush them instead of tossing them in the trash. It doesn’t make much sense, since they take up very little room. The best rule of thumb is to limit what you put into the toilet to toilet paper. 5. Food. This one might seem obvious, but sometimes people feel in a jam when they don’t have a garbage disposal, and refuse to put that soup in the trash where it’s likely to leak. The obvious choice? The toilet. Just don’t do it.
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