You may have resorted to desperate searches online to find out if there are safe alternatives, should you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being without toilet paper. There are many options that are claimed to be safe to use, but today, we at Randall’s Plumbing, we would like to share some insight on these popular alternatives.

Are Flushable Wipes Really Flushable?

Flushable wipes are often that as a safe alternative to toilet paper. If you’re potty training a young child or looking for a better clean for yourself, these can be an asset. Should be the outdoorsy type, like enjoying hiking, camping, or anything else that gets you away from your normal toilet amenities, they are nice. However, these wipes are not safe for the plumbing system. They take significantly longer to break down, and lead to costly clogs.

What Not to Flush Down the Toilet

It is better in the long run to avoid flushing napkins or wipes, even if you are desperate. Leading to expensive plumbing repairs, there are certain items that should never make their way through your plumbing system. The un-flushable alternatives to toilet paper and other items include:
– Vitamins, medicines, or other pharmaceuticals
– Toilet bowl scrub pads
– Sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, or any non-organic material
– Plastic of any kind
– Napkins (paper or cloth), paper towels
– Hair
– Fats, oils, and greases
– Facial tissues
– Eggshells, nutshells, and coffee grounds
– Diapers of any kind
– Dental floss
– Cotton balls or Q-tips
– Baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, moist wipes, etc.
We know that accidents happen, and if you find that you have a clog from one of the above items being flushed down your toilet, or anything else, remain calm and contact your plumber.

You Can Flush Toilet Paper

A good rule of thumb is to stick to the basics when it comes to what you can and can’t flush. The only things that should go down your toilet are human waste, water and toilet paper. To ensure it is able to fully break down without clogs, even thick toilet paper should be used sparingly per flush.

What to Do when There’s No Toilet Paper at Home

You actually have a safe and effective toilet paper alternative that poses no risk to your home’s plumbing system when you have clean water. You know that it’s a type of toilet that provides a stream of water to clean yourself up after using the restroom with a bidet. Being extremely common throughout Europe, Asia, and South America, bidets were developed in the early 1700s and had over 90% of households have them installed in their bathrooms. A professional can install a bidet for our use, if necessary, a perineal irrigation bottle, or peri bottle

What to Use Flushable Wipes For

There are still plenty of ways to utilize your wet-wipe stockpile while wipes may not be suited for your toilet.
– Cleaning of your pet’s paws on rainy days
– Wiping pollen from your hair
– Removing makeup
– Cleaning shoes free of scuff marks
– Wiping dust from your houseplants

Residential Plumbers & Commercial Plumbing Contractors in Marshfield, Conway & Greater Lebanon, Missouri

Just make sure they end up in the trash bin and not your plumbing system, as there are many of other unconventional uses for your wipes. Should you face a clog in toilet, or accidentally flushed something you shouldn’t, call Randall’s Plumbing today.