We might think that what happens in the privacy of the bathroom stays there. But this is not the case when items that shouldn’t be flushed down toilets are flushed, leading to emergency plumbing situations and costly repairs. I’ve personally experienced that incredulous dread of watching dirty water overflow from a backed-up toilet. For many, this situation turns into an emergency call to the plumber.
Experts emphasize that only the three Ps should be flushed down toilets: pee, poop, and (toilet) paper. But everyone has their own thoughts about what “can” get disposed of by flushing. Unfortunately, they might not find out that their beliefs are wrong until it’s too late. A Guardian Service survey updated in 2025 reports that “clogged toilets” is the most common plumbing issue searched over the last two years.
Being clear about what can and cannot get flushed down the toilet is key to preventing plumbing emergencies. Ahead, the truth about what items Americans are frequently flushing down toilets, how much toilet-related emergency plumbing repairs cost, and how to dispose of items that should never, ever go down the toilet.
What Items Are Most Frequently Flushed Down Toilets
The items that Americans tend to flush down toilets are pretty similar across the board. Here are the most common items people are flushing.
Wipes (43%)
Wipes of all kinds are one of the most common items flushed down toilets, but it’s never a good idea. People often flush baby wipes and disinfectant wipes, but even those who know not to put these items in the toilet think it’s okay to flush so-called “flushable wipes.” After all, it says they’re flushable in the name. According to the Guardian Service survey, 24 percent of Americans didn’t know whether flushable wipes were safe to flush, with another 14 percent thinking they were flushable.
To be clear: It’s definitely not a good idea to flush even “flushable” wipes. Yet they account for 43 percent of what Americans flush down the toilet that they shouldn’t. They do not actually meet the criteria for flushability, so they can clog pipes, especially where pipes form an angle. This causes backups and expensive, inconvenient plumbing emergencies. Always put used wipes of any kind in trash cans rather than flushing them.
Feminine hygiene products (16%)
Tempting as it is to flush feminine hygiene products down the toilet, it’s never advisable, yet they make up 16 percent of the most commonly flushed items. Tampons and pads are specifically designed to absorb liquid and when they do, they swell. Obviously, this can cause big problems in pipes and lead to backups. Instead, make sure to have a trash can with a lid in all your bathrooms so anyone who needs to can dispose of their feminine hygiene products properly.
Medications (8%)
Many people worry about the environmental impact of flushing medication down the toilet. However, as FDA environmental assessment expert Raanan Bloom, Ph.D. says in “Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines,” “the main way drug residues enter water systems is by people taking medicines and then naturally passing them through their bodies.” Because of the substantial risk they pose to humans and animals, some medications should be flushed down the toilet. Still, this only applies to medications on the FDA flush list. Otherwise, find a drug take-back location or mix unused medications with dirt, kitty litter, or coffee grounds before sealing in a plastic resealable bag and tossing.
Cotton Products (7%)
Cotton products, such as cotton swabs/balls (7%), makeup pads, and cotton balls, are also often flushed down the toilet. Although they seem like they’d break down easily, they don’t and can cause plumbing issues. Again, make sure to toss these in the trash instead of flushing them down the toilet.
Other items that are commonly flushed (that shouldn’t be)
- Facial tissues (34%)
- Paper towels (24%)
- Leftover food (10%)
- Condoms (4%)
- Small toys (4%)
- Pet fish (4%)
Plumbing Repair Costs
Plumbing repairs aren’t cheap, and the sticker shock can be overwhelming. According to the survey conducted by Guardian Service, 57 percent of homeowners are “shocked by the cost of a plumbing repair at some point.” The kicker and the good news, depending on your perspective, is that many of these plumbing costs are related to items that shouldn’t be flushed — meaning the problem is preventable.
A whopping two in five homeowners have had to pay for emergency plumbing repairs due to improper flushing. The average cost of these repairs is $671 out of pocket. However, one in twelve homeowners have had to pay over $2000 for emergency sewer repairs. While many homeowners are able to pay for plumbing repairs with their savings, others pay with a credit card or a personal loan. An important takeaway is that these unexpected, expensive plumbing repairs caused many homeowners to regret not having homeowners or plumbing insurance.
The cost of plumbing repairs isn’t only financial. Dealing with plumbing issues and their aftermath also costs homeowners time. In addition to the inconvenience and frustration caused by problematic toilets, there’s the time involved in finding a plumber, making sure you’re home when they’re able to come, and then being around while the problem is getting fixed. Most repairs take a few hours, but sometimes they can take an entire day or more.
FAQ
How much are major plumbing repairs on average?
According to the Guardian Service survey, Americans spend $671 on average for emergency sewer repairs. Angi puts the average cost for toilet repairs between $200 and $1200. One thing is for sure: Plumbing repairs are going to cost you, but emergencies caused by items that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet don’t have to happen in the first place. Just stick to flushing only the three Ps.
Why are flushable wipes called flushable if they’re not actually flushable?
Flushable wipes are allowed to be called flushable because there is no legally binding definition of what’s considered flushable. Hence, even wipes that don’t disintegrate well enough that they won’t cause problems are designated “flushable” for marketing purposes. Due to the lack of regulation and confusion surrounding which wipes will actually disintegrate, it’s best not to flush any wipes at all down the toilet.
Sources
- “Orange Water and Sewer Authority: Down the Drain: Yes, to the 3 Ps“
- “Guardian Service: America’s Biggest Plumbing Problems: What Homeowners Are Flushing, Fixing, and Googling” (2025)
- “Power Plumbing Services: 5 “Flushable” Things That You Should Never Actually Flush” (2021)
- “Santa Monica Water District: What to flush?“
- “International Water Services Flushability Group: Criteria for Recognition as a Flushable Product“
- “US Food & Drug Administration: Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines“
- “US Food & Drug Administration: Drug Disposal: FDA’s Flush List for Certain Medicines“
- “Angi: How Much Does Plumbing Repair Cost?“
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The post You Won’t Believe What Americans Keep Flushing Down the Toilet appeared first on Family Handyman.
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