Advances in plumbing have made indoor toilets incredibly powerful and efficient, but those advances come at a cost—most people think just about anything can be flushed, creating the need for emergency sewer cleaning. Here are three items you should never flush down the toilet and why. 

Items to Never Flush Down Your Toilet

1. Baby Wipes

Because moist wipes for the bathroom have taken the paper products market by storm, many people assume that baby wipes are flushable. Unfortunately, baby wipes are typically made of cloth fibers, making them quick to cause clogs and difficult to remove. To keep your plumbing safe, never flush any paper product down your toilet that isn’t certified to be septic and sewer safe. 

2. Cat Litter

Since many people keep their litter boxes in the bathroom, the toilet might seem like a convenient, natural place to dispose of used kitty litter. However, those granules don’t break down easily and are notorious for causing clogs. To avoid sewer cleaning, toss used litter in the trash. 

3. Cotton Balls or Swabs 

In addition to being bulky, cotton balls and swabs are made from natural cotton, which does not flow well through plumbing. Also, since both swabs and cotton balls can unfurl slightly when they are exposed to water, they tend to trap other passing debris, making clogs an imminent danger. Because some feminine products are also made of cotton, they should be disposed of in feminine hygiene containers instead of flushed down the toilet. 

If your plumbing has been acting up, contact American Rooter for help. In addition to identifying and resolving clogged drains, these professionals can help with sewer cleaning, roto-rooting, and an incredible range of different home improvement services. This team can also help with grease trap and septic tank pumping for businesses and restaurants. To schedule a consultation, send them a message online or call (888) 863-4638.