Don’t Be A Pain In The Drain!

 

Disposable wipes have become very popular — but you should know how to properly dispose of them. Many of the labels say that the wipes are “flushable,” but please be aware that “flushable” is NOT the same as “biodegradable.” Wipes are made of stronger material than toilet paper. Simply put, disposable wipes do not break down in your pipes or in your wastewater utility’s pipes .

 

Here’s an activity you can do to see for yourself what happens to disposable wipes:

 

The flushability test:

Take two bowls of water. Place toilet paper in one, and place the item in question in the other. Swish both items in the water. Wait and hour, then swish again. The toilet paper should have significantly disintegrated by then, while the other item (for example, Kleenex, wipes, napkins, etc.) will likely remain intact.

 

Unless the item disintegrates at the rate of toilet paper you should toss it into the trash rather than flush it down the toilet. You probably already have a trash container in the bathroom; if not you can easily add one. Your toilet drains can handle only water, toilet paper, and human waste. Flushing wipes can create a blockage and cause sewage to back up into your home!

 

Don’t use your toilet as a trash can. Remember, flushing wipes is bad for pipes!