What should you never flush down the toilet?
By the Drain Guru team · Updated September 27, 2026
Quick answer
Only flush toilet paper and human waste. Wipes (even ones labeled flushable), paper towels, tissues, cotton swabs, floss, feminine products, diapers, condoms, cat litter, hair, medications and grease all cause clogs or sewer problems. Keep a small lidded trash can in every bathroom.
Never flush
- Wet wipes, including "flushable" ones: they don't break down like toilet paper
- Paper towels and facial tissues
- Cotton swabs and cotton balls
- Dental floss
- Tampons, pads and applicators
- Diapers
- Condoms
- Cat litter
- Hair
- Medications (take them to a pharmacy drop-off)
- Grease or cooking oil
- Kids' toys (the classic)
Kitchen sink no-go list
Grease, coffee grounds, eggshells, rice and pasta, and fibrous peels (celery, onion skins, potato peels) cause most kitchen clogs, even with a disposal.
Our free landlord and tenant kit includes a printable "what not to flush" sign for bathrooms.
More questions
Are flushable wipes actually flushable?
They'll go down the toilet, but many don't break apart quickly, and they're a major cause of home and city sewer clogs. Put them in the trash.
Related answers
General information only. Plumbing codes, prices and landlord-tenant laws vary by location. For gas, electrical, sewer-line or structural problems, contact a licensed professional.