6 Types of Wipes You Cannot Flush (And 1 … You Also Cannot Flush)

Wipes are a staple in most households. They make dusting and household cleanup simple. You can throw a pack of wet wipes in your car or bag for quick cleanup on the go, and they're a necessity in public bathrooms when there’s no toilet paper. But as handy as wipes are, these sheets can also pose a problem when it comes to proper disposal.

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Flushing a single wipe in the toilet may seem harmless, but even those labeled as "flushable" can cause major problems within your plumbing or sewer system.

Types of Wipes You Absolutely Should Not Flush

There are many types of wipes available on the market for various uses. Most of these aren’t marketed as flushable wipes. The following common types of wipes aren't safe to flush:

• Baby wipes. Most baby wipes are made of polyester and have a high plastic content, which makes them thicker than traditional paper towels. These wipes are soft and gentle on the baby’s skin but don’t belong in your septic system.

• Personal hygiene wipes. Also referred to as wet wipes, personal hygiene wipes are premoistened for cleaning parts of the body when soap and water aren’t available. Most of these wipes deodorize the skin without leaving behind a sticky or soapy residue.

• Makeup removal wipes. Makeup removal wipes tend to be small and thin. While they're usually smaller than baby wipes and personal hygiene wipes, they often contain oils, lotions and chemicals that break down makeup and moisturize the skin.

• Cleaning and disinfectant wipes. Cleaning and disinfectant wipes are tough and durable. They contain cleaning products to rid your furniture and surfaces of dust and dirt. Some have chemicals used to sanitize and kill bacteria and viruses, which makes them ideal for use in clinics and daycares that need to be germ-free.

• Individually wrapped medical wipes. These hospital wipes are used for cleaning and prepping wounds. They contain high levels of alcohol to kill bacteria, germs and viruses to prevent infection in cuts and abrasions. They're small, paper thin and usually made of papery, nonwoven materials that won’t break down in liquid.

• Electronic multipurpose wipes. Designed for LED screens, computers, TV screens, tablets and e-readers, these wipes are saturated with a quick-dry formula that leaves screens streak-free.

Why You Shouldn’t Flush Wipes

They Can Clog Your Pipes

Most wipes aren’t biodegradable and won’t dissolve in water like most toilet paper. Instead, they tend to clump and stick together, leading to large blockages in your pipes. These blockages are costly to fix and lead to slow-moving drains, sewage backup and damage to personal property. Keep your pipes clear by tossing wipes in the trash.

They Can Damage Septic Systems

Not only can wipes clog your pipes, they can also collect in the part of the septic tank meant to hold solids. These masses limit the amount of water that’s able to fill the tank, so the tank will require pumping more often.

They Have a Negative Impact on the Environment

You think you're keeping wipes out of landfills by thowing them down the toilet — but they're actually worse for the environment there than as trash. The chemicals on most wipes can interfere with the breakdown process inside plumbing and septic systems. These same chemicals can also cause clogs in the filtration process and, in large amounts, may also seep into the ground and contaminate groundwater supplies.

They Can Create Big, Gross Fatbergs

Fatbergs are great big balls of congaled fat, oil grease and non-biodegradable trash. Cooking fats that people pour town their drains gum up into larger and larger balls. Flushed wipes and their fibrous nature are great seeds for these fatbergs. They accumulate, gathering more fat, more grease and more flushed wipes, and before you know it, you've got an enormous mass of gunk that stops up not just residential pipes but entire municpal sewer systems. Over the years, gigantic fatbergs have caused sewer problems in London, New York and other cities around the world.

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“Flushable” Wet Wipes — and Why They Aren’t Actually as Flushable as You’d Think

Flushable wipes are marketed as a safe alternative to toilet paper. Many manufacturers claim these wipes break down fast enough that they won’t cause plumbing problems. However, they still take longer to dissolve in water compared to regular toilet paper. The slow degradation still causes issues within pipes and septic tanks.

Like some non-flushable wipes, flushable wipes almost always have chemicals and plastics that can accumulate in wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. These chemicals can lead to environmental pollution.

How to Properly Dispose of Wipes

It’s important to remember that wipes aren't safe to flush. The best way to dispose of both flushable and non-flushable wipes is to throw them in the garbage. If you love wipes but are afraid of the environmental impact, look for biodegradable, organic or green options. Some wipes are made from all-natural fibers that decompose much more easily in the landfill.