Flushing various items down the toilet has become a common practice, but it has led to a rise in plumbing issues, sewage blockages, and environmental concerns. One specific item that has gained attention in this regard is baby wipes so should baby wipes be flushed?
When it comes to baby wipes, their inability to dissolve in water raises the question of whether they should be flushed down the toilet. This article aims to provide important insights into the properties of baby wipes, the implications of flushing them, and their environmental impact. By understanding these factors, you can make informed decisions regarding the proper disposal of baby wipes.
Can You Flush Baby Wipes?
The answer to the question of whether baby wipes should be flushed is a resounding “No.” Despite some manufacturers labeling certain wipes as “flushable,” it is important to understand that even these wipes can cause damage to your plumbing and the broader sewage system.
Baby wipes, including those labeled as flushable, are not biodegradable like toilet paper. They are designed to be durable and moisture-resistant, which means they do not break down easily in water. Flushing them can lead to clogged pipes, blockages, and costly repairs.
The “flushable” label used by manufacturers has been a subject of controversy and scrutiny. While these wipes may technically go down the toilet, they can cause significant problems once they reach the sewage system. They can contribute to the accumulation of debris and create blockages, leading to sewage backups and environmental hazards.
To prevent these issues, it is advisable to dispose of baby wipes in the trash. By doing so, you help maintain the proper functioning of your plumbing system and contribute to the overall health of the sewage infrastructure.
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Should Baby Wipes Be Flushed?
Wet wipes are known to contribute a massive percentage to sewer blockage in the United States and across the world. They develop into a mass of ball (fatbergs) that accumulates with it, and other particles that aid the improper flow of the sewer system.
Baby wipes are made of non-biodegradable materials such as polyester, which are resistant to breaking down or dissolving in water. Unlike toilet paper, baby wipes do not disintegrate when flushed. When you dispose of a baby wipe in the toilet, it remains intact and can take up to 100 years to break down. Consequently, it can become lodged in the pipes or make its way to the septic tank.
The layout of household plumbing systems, with their twists and turns, increases the likelihood of baby wipes getting stuck at various points. This can result in two main consequences when wipes are present in your drainage system.
1. It Gets Stuck In Your Home Pipe And Causes Waste Or Water To Flow Back Into Your Home.
The wipes won’t disintegrate. For as long as possible, they can tolerate water. They are going to cling to your pipe or make it safely to your septic tanks, where they may result in yet another issue. Particles continue to linger in your tube and build up enough garbage that raw materials can no longer travel through and come back to your house. Homes with iron pipes, which can rust and flake, are at a higher danger, according to studies.
Hindawi explains this study in Experimental Investigation on Corrosion Effect on Mechanical Properties of Buried Metal Pipes.
Therefore, repairing such a pipe system might lead to a lot of debt as punishment for improper waste disposal. The repair can cost as much as $500 to $9,000
2. Accumulation Can Affect The Community Sewer System Due To The Formation Of Fatbergs
New York City spends nearly $19 million a year repairing pipes and machinery clogged with wipes. This results from household wastes like wipes accumulating to form fatbergs. With New York City spending nearly $20 million annually to clean the sewage system, it shows the detrimental effect on the nation’s finances.
What Are Fatbergs?
A fatberg refers to a mass of non-biodegradable objects that accumulate in the sewer system, combined with household waste such as flushed wipes, fat, oil, and grease. This accumulation forms a solid blockage resembling an iceberg in the sewer pipes. Fatbergs can vary in size, ranging from around 100 pounds, and they have the potential to cause significant damage to the sewer infrastructure.
In addition to fatbergs, there can also be smaller accumulations known as soft clogs. While not as massive as fatbergs, soft clogs can still cause costly damage to the sewer system.
Are There Different Types Of Wipes? Should That Affect How I Dispose Of Them?
There are two ways to look at this, types of wipes based on whether or not they are flushable and wipes based on their material composition
1. Whether Or Not They Are Flushable
They are the same, and you should dispose of them.
Baby wipes manufacturing industries have turned around to announce the production and release of new baby wipes that are flushable. When we tested the materials of these “different” wipes, we found that they were the same and would not break down in the water.
The resistance of wipes to water makes them very effective in their work; it shows the quality materials used in making them.
These two groups of wipes are disposed of in the bin after use.
2. The Materials Used In The Making Of The Wipes
Baby wipes are either made with Synthetic materials or biodegradable materials.
- Synthetic materials: These are a component of materials known to be resistant to any form of biodegradation; they contain chemical materials like polyester. They do not break down in the presence of water but take a long time to break down (if they do at all). It is better to dispose of baby wipes made from synthetic materials in the bin, trash, or anywhere provided to keep such non-biodegradable waste.
- Biodegradable materials: These kinds of wipes are a construct of materials that still have a shot at degrading or breaking down in the presence of water. However, this can take a long time, say an average of 100 years. Wipes made like this are better disposed of by composting. The factory instructions would clarify whether your wipe is a component of biodegradable materials or not and whether you can compost.
Are There Flushable Wipes?
Generally, there are no flushable wipes. Manufacturing industries are claiming to have new flushable wipes. Whether or not a wipe is flushable is considering the long-term effect of this wipe on your pipe, septic tank (if you have one), and the city sewer system.
So, they are not flushable; they’d go down in the sink but might stay there forever.
Why Should You Never Flush Baby Wipes?
1. Wipes Take Time
Wipes, unlike toilet paper, would take an average of 100 years to break down, as I stated before. Somehow, you never really disposed of them properly; they are probably hanging around your pipe, septic tank, etc. They might even be accumulating in the city sewage system.
2. You Flushing Wipes Can Get Stuck
The pipe is a construct with curves and turns. Which makes it easy for water or whatever is dissolved in it to flow. However, wipes are still maintaining their state as they can’t dissolve in water; this makes it possible to get stuck in one of those pipe turns.
3. Wipes Are Not Flushable
You should be familiar with the answer to the question, ‘Can you flush baby wipes?’ Is a no. Wipes are not flushable because they won’t go down your drainage like your poop, tissue, and the like.
4. Wipes Can Clog Your Pipe
Wipes won’t dissolve in water like your poop and tissue. The wipe can get stuck in the toilet pipe; this indicates that they can hang around and accumulate as much dirt as possible until your toilet pipe is clogged.
5. Any Chemical Can’t dissolve wipes.
Water can’t dissolve wipes, nor can chemicals dissolve them. Some attempts saw the use of sulfuric acid; this needs high caution.
6. Wipes Can Damage The Drainage In And Out Of The House
Wipes can clog your drainage system. The implication is that it ruins the normal flow of water and waste in your drainage system. Sometimes, it can lead to the flow back of water in the house. You can observe this in your kitchen, attic, and walls.
What Can You Flush On Your Toilet?
There’s been a lot of talk on why you should avoid flushing your baby wipes. This should not scare you never to use the toilet anymore. The primary factor to consider is whether the material is flushable or dissolves in water. These would dissolve in water and can be flushed:
- Poop
- Pee
- Vomit
- Toilet paper
What Should You Never Flush On Your Toilet?
Baby wipes are not the only things that can affect your house if flushed down your toilet. Anything that’s not biodegradable should not be in your pipe. These are examples of things you should never flush down your toilet:
- Baby wipes: This tops the list because it’s misleading. It should never go into your toilet. Take it outside.
- Tampons: It can get tempting trying to find an easy way to dispose of your tampons, but the toilet is not the way
- Paper towels: Your paper towels won’t dissolve in the pipe, take them outside
- Diapers: More than just the materials that make up your diapers, the size of diapers and nappies won’t fit your trash pipe. Take them outside.
- Band-Aid: Its design can withstand water; it won’t break down.
How Do You Unclog Your Toilet?
Mistakes happen; it’s understandable. So, if you’ve accidentally dropped your baby wipes inside your toilet, and it appears to have clogged your toilet pipe, there are some things you can do. These are:
1. Use Your Hand
If you mistakenly drop your wipe inside the toilet, using your hand to remove the wipe is the most straightforward form of unclogging your toilet pipe; this might appear icky to you.
However, using your hand is only efficient in cases where you can see the wipe you want to remove. Nevertheless, you can still use your hand to remove it when you can’t see; you only get to stretch a bit more.
NB: Drain the toilet before digging deep, and wear gloves.
2. Use Your Plunger
Using the plunger sounds way better than using your hands. Nevertheless, this method has more possibility of pushing whatever got stuck in your toilet pipe down the drain; you might be having your work half done.
3. Try A Toilet Auger
You can use a toilet auger in cases beyond the use of a plunger. It is also known as a toilet snake. The Toilet snake is long enough to reach the lower part of the toilet bowl and has a head wide enough for clearing blockages in the pipe. To use, twist the toilet snake clockwise and anticlockwise till you feel a parting space in the toilet pipe.
4. Call A Professional
You call a pro when it’s beyond you. You might have a clog that you can’t reach. It is crucial to reach out to professionals to come and handle the situation on your behalf; they have a better approach to the problem at hand.
What I’m saying is…
It is important to understand that although baby wipes are convenient for childcare, they should never be flushed down the toilet.
Baby wipes are designed to withstand moisture and are made of non-biodegradable materials, such as plastic. This property prevents them from dissolving in water. When flushed, baby wipes can cause several problems, including clogging the pipes in your home, blocking your septic tank, or causing blockages in the community drainage system.
Therefore, the answer to the question “Can you flush baby wipes?” is always a resounding no. It is crucial to be informed about the repercussions of flushing baby wipes to avoid potential damage to your drainage system and unnecessary expenses.
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