Just like the golden rule to slip, slop, slap sunscreen to our face and body, the rule of Pee, Poo and (toilet) Paper applies to what we should flush down our toilets (or put down our drains).

Most people have heard that flushing sanitary pads, napkins and tampons down the toilet is a bad idea, but the truth is that the list of items that you shouldn’t wash or flush down your drains is pretty long and it doesn’t matter whether you are on septic, have a house sewerage treatment plant or are connected to the mains, you need to observe the rule of the 3 P’s (Pee, Poo and Paper).

Toilets and sewerage systems are only designed to cater to human waste and specially designed toilet paper - even tissues and paper towels are not suitable for flushing and would likely result in blockages. And while you might get away with flushing the occasional ‘un-flushable’ without noticing any ill effect, you never know what horror blockage you are creating in your pipes, until the problem is out of your pipes and assaulting your nose. 

Here are the most common things that are flushed down the loo (that shouldn’t be!): 

• Tampons
• Napkins
• Pads
• Nappies
• Kitty Litter
• Baby Wipes
• Cleaning Wipes
• Paper Towel
• Grease
• Fat
• Tissues 
• Cotton Pads
• Cotton Buds
• Condoms
• Dental Floss
• Kids toys

Now it makes sense why some of these things aren’t able to be flushed… Kids' toys were never going to break down nicely and disintegrate, and it’s not likely you want to see Dorothy the Dinosaur rearing her head at you as you sit down to take care of your business.

But other things seem a little more confusing, and it doesn’t really make sense why they wouldn’t flush… 

A tissue is just like toilet paper right? 

WRONG! A tissue, when wet, fails to break down like loo paper, and is likely to clump and collect with other foreign items, while it may take a little while, tissues will likely result in a smelly and expensive mess. So don’t let a tissue become your biggest issue! 

Tampons, napkins and pads are designed to swell and absorb moisture, they also are likely to catch and clog on any other foreign objects, a tampon is literally designed to cause a blockage… and will do just that in your pipes. Now whilst we like to be there in your time of need,  we don’t necessarily need to be on call gynaecologist to your pipes if these things just don’t get flushed in the first place.

Condoms are specifically designed not to break, and if they catch in your loo they aren’t going to break down and pass quickly, but will linger and cause drama a bit like an ex. Eeekkk lets avoid that nightmare!

And whilst fishing can be fun we recommend keeping the urge until you are holidaying by the sea side. Dental floss will act as one of the best fishing lines you’ve ever had, catching turds and blocking your toilet! So please don’t fish in your toilet dish!

Last but not least are grease, oil and fat, while they might appear to dissolve under the hot water in your sink, as soon as they cool in your drains they coagulate into a grease monster resembling the blob that is sure to ruin your day.

So, whilst it might all seem to be fun and games there really is a method to our madness and that is we want you to remember to stick to the rule of the 3 P’s when it comes to what you flush in your loo! PEE, POO & PAPER.

We supply the below attachment to all of our Customers when they install a new House Sewerage Treatment Plant - Feel free to print it out and pop it on the back of your toilet door!