8 Things You Should Never Flush Down the Toilet

September 2, 2025, 9:04 am | Read time: 3 minutes

Everyone should know that only toilet paper and waste belong in the toilet. Yet other items often end up there. myHOMEBOOK explains which things should never be disposed of in the toilet. Because: The toilet is not a trash can.

Hair

Especially when caring for long hair, you might comb out a handful of hair. This hairball should not be disposed of in the toilet. Hair can clump together, snag with other waste, and cause a blockage. It’s better to dispose of it in the regular trash.

Food

If you don’t want pests in your toilet bowl, don’t dispose of food there. Moreover, food scraps, especially those containing fat and oil, can clog the pipes. Small amounts should go in the compost bin, while oils and fats should be collected in containers and placed in the regular trash.

Wet Toilet Paper

Unlike regular toilet paper, wet toilet paper does not dissolve. It remains as a solid lump in the sewer and can cause blockages. This is not only annoying but can also be costly. So, where should wet toilet paper go? This waste also belongs in the trash bin.

Hygiene Products

Whether tampons, pads, or diapers—hygiene products should not be disposed of in the toilet. Their function is to absorb liquid, causing them to expand. This swelling can block the sewage pipes. Hygiene products should always be disposed of in the household trash.

By the way: Cotton swabs and cotton pads are also not suitable for the toilet as a “trash can.” Always dispose of these in the regular trash.

Paper Towels and Tissues

When toilet paper runs out, many turn to paper towels or tissues as an alternative. Unlike toilet paper, these are more tear-resistant and dissolve less easily. This can lead to blockages. While it’s okay to use paper towels or tissues as a substitute in an emergency, they should be disposed of in the regular trash afterward.

Cigarettes

Those who smoke secretly often want to dispose of the evidence quickly. However, the toilet is not suitable for this. Cigarette filters are made of plastic. If they enter the wastewater, they can contaminate water bodies with toxins. Cigarettes should therefore also be disposed of in the regular trash.

Medications

The rules for disposing of medications can vary from one municipality to another. Often, they can be disposed of in the regular trash. If unsure, you can also return medications to the pharmacy. However, everywhere it applies: Please do not flush them down the toilet! The active ingredients enter the wastewater and cannot be completely filtered out in sewage treatment plants.

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Cat Litter

Cat owners should not dispose of litter in the toilet when cleaning the litter box. Cat litter clumps, absorbs water, and can block pipes. It’s better to dispose of the waste along with the litter in the regular trash.

What Belongs in the Toilet?

It’s actually quite simple: Only toilet paper and waste should be disposed of in the toilet. At most, cleaning water with mild detergents can also be flushed down the toilet, explains Andreas Braun from the Central Association for Sanitation, Heating, and Climate (ZVSH) upon request from myHOMEBOOK.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.