How To Clear Baby Wipes From Toilet

PCUSER [OP]: Deal Addict; Jun 23, 2010; 1824 posts; 258 upvotes; Markham

Jan 17th, 2018 8:15 pm

Are those Lysol or Clorox wipes safe to put down the toilet?

I'm a stickler for hygiene so we use those antiseptic wipes all the time, and especially in the bathroom.
We are in a 6 floor condominium on the 4th floor.
My question is, are these safe to flush down the toilet? I've been doing so as if I'm using them to wipe the seat or edge of the bowl, they really shouldn't be in the garbage pail.
The reason I ask is, our neighbor below us, mentioned to me, that every time we would flush our powder room toilet, there's (which by building design is directly below ours) would burp/gurgle, and loose water.At one point it came close to over flowing.
The property manager had a plumber come in, and they snaked their toilet and pipes below them and were able to clear some obstruction, but in fear of potentially incriminating myself, I didn't ask for any details of what they specifically brought up.
Sorry what about the dust and dust ball that needs emptying from the dyson vacuum. Is that at least ok?
Thanks

Jan 17th, 2018 8:35 pm

Todd96srv: Member; Dec 4, 2009; 387 posts; 262 upvotes

Jan 17th, 2018 8:35 pm

Jan 17th, 2018 8:54 pm

hoob: Deal Fanatic; Jan 6, 2002; 6086 posts; 6351 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 17th, 2018 8:54 pm

No.
And no.

As someone long prepared for the occasion, in full command of every plan you wrecked---
Do not choose a coward's explanation, that hides behind the cause and the effect...

Jan 17th, 2018 9:01 pm

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 17686 posts; 19860 upvotes; GTA

Jan 17th, 2018 9:01 pm

Only shit, piss and toilet paper should go down your toilet. Throwing anything else down it is moronic.

Last edited by engineered on Jan 17th, 2018 9:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Jan 17th, 2018 9:07 pm

iflyplanes: Deal Addict; Feb 9, 2013; 1885 posts; 1653 upvotes; Ottawa

Jan 17th, 2018 9:07 pm

What do you think happens when you flush the toilet? Do you think stuff just magically disappears without a trace? Do you think things just disintegrate spontaneously when you flush them? You can cause serious damage by flushing down those wipes, they are quite strong and will not break apart, nor will they biodegrade as they are made of synthetic fibres.

Jan 17th, 2018 9:10 pm

von Monster: Sr. Member; Feb 27, 2007; 528 posts; 326 upvotes

Jan 17th, 2018 9:10 pm

As always Adam Ruins everything has you covered - and that's the flush-able wipes, not things that aren't even 'flush-able'

Jan 17th, 2018 9:11 pm

CanadianLurker: Deal Addict; Sep 9, 2012; 4952 posts; 4131 upvotes; Oakville, ON

Jan 17th, 2018 9:11 pm

PCUSER wrote: ↑ I'm a stickler for hygiene so we use those antiseptic wipes all the time, and especially in the bathroom.
We are in a 6 floor condominium on the 4th floor.
My question is, are these safe to flush down the toilet? I've been doing so as if I'm using them to wipe the seat or edge of the bowl, they really shouldn't be in the garbage pail.
The reason I ask is, our neighbor below us, mentioned to me, that every time we would flush our powder room toilet, there's (which by building design is directly below ours) would burp/gurgle, and loose water.At one point it came close to over flowing.
The property manager had a plumber come in, and they snaked their toilet and pipes below them and were able to clear some obstruction, but in fear of potentially incriminating myself, I didn't ask for any details of what they specifically brought up.
Sorry what about the dust and dust ball that needs emptying from the dyson vacuum. Is that at least ok?
Thanks

No on the wipes. And no on the vacuum debris. Only what comes out of your body and/or toilet paper. Nothing else.

Jan 17th, 2018 9:31 pm

PCUSER [OP]: Deal Addict; Jun 23, 2010; 1824 posts; 258 upvotes; Markham

Jan 17th, 2018 9:31 pm

iflyplanes wrote: ↑ What do you think happens when you flush the toilet? Do you think stuff just magically disappears without a trace? Do you think things just disintegrate spontaneously when you flush them? You can cause serious damage by flushing down those wipes, they are quite strong and will not break apart, nor will they biodegrade as they are made of synthetic fibres.

Well, I've seen the diameter of the drain under the toilet before. It's seems to be 5 inches or so. My take on it was, if it can safely snake it's way through the toilet then it can definitely go down a 5 inch drain. From there it's the sewers and finially the sewage treatment plant. I've taken a tour of a sewage treatment plant before, and straining out toilet paper, dental floss, and other like material is one of the processes.
Looks like the general consensus may be, just body fluids.

Jan 17th, 2018 9:35 pm

tranquility922: Deal Expert; Sep 21, 2010; 15185 posts; 4599 upvotes; Montréal

Jan 17th, 2018 9:35 pm

CanadianLurker wrote: ↑ No on the wipes. And no on the vacuum debris. Only what comes out of your body and/or toilet paper. Nothing else.

I dunno why it's so hard for ppl to understand. Well, at least OP is asking.

Hard work, inheritance, interest on interest accumulating, and stock and real estate speculation. It's all good.

Jan 17th, 2018 9:45 pm

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 17686 posts; 19860 upvotes; GTA

Jan 17th, 2018 9:45 pm

PCUSER wrote: ↑ Well, I've seen the diameter of the drain under the toilet before. It's seems to be 5 inches or so. My take on it was, if it can safely snake it's way through the toilet then it can definitely go down a 5 inch drain. From there it's the sewers and finially the sewage treatment plant. I've taken a tour of a sewage treatment plant before, and straining out toilet paper, dental floss, and other like material is one of the processes.
Looks like the general consensus may be, just body fluids.

The problem is that there can be fat build up that closes up the pipes, or the cloth can catch on an edge, then it builds up into a big clog.
Even if it doesn't clog, it's costs the city more to clean them out of the water at the treatment plant, which means higher taxes for you.

Jan 17th, 2018 10:01 pm

hierophant: Deal Fanatic; Feb 4, 2010; 5312 posts; 4246 upvotes

Jan 17th, 2018 10:01 pm

PCUSER wrote: ↑ I'm a stickler for hygiene so we use those antiseptic wipes all the time, and especially in the bathroom.
We are in a 6 floor condominium on the 4th floor.
My question is, are these safe to flush down the toilet? I've been doing so as if I'm using them to wipe the seat or edge of the bowl, they really shouldn't be in the garbage pail.
The reason I ask is, our neighbor below us, mentioned to me, that every time we would flush our powder room toilet, there's (which by building design is directly below ours) would burp/gurgle, and loose water.At one point it came close to over flowing.
The property manager had a plumber come in, and they snaked their toilet and pipes below them and were able to clear some obstruction, but in fear of potentially incriminating myself, I didn't ask for any details of what they specifically brought up.
Sorry what about the dust and dust ball that needs emptying from the dyson vacuum. Is that at least ok?
Thanks

Just curious why you think they should NOT be in the garbage but think it's go down the toilet? Where did you get the notion that anything other than human waste should even be considered? Toilet is not a garbage can.

Jan 17th, 2018 10:04 pm

PCUSER [OP]: Deal Addict; Jun 23, 2010; 1824 posts; 258 upvotes; Markham

Jan 17th, 2018 10:04 pm

engineered wrote: ↑ The problem is that there can be fat build up that closes up the pipes, or the cloth can catch on an edge, then it builds up into a big clog.
Even if it doesn't clog, it's costs the city more to clean them out of the water at the treatment plant, which means higher taxes for you.

Yea, I just watched the Adam video above..It's all making sense.
Thanks

Jan 17th, 2018 10:41 pm

Jakinthe: Banned; Jan 3, 2018; 321 posts; 61 upvotes

Jan 17th, 2018 10:41 pm

engineered wrote: ↑ Only shit and piss should go down your toilet. Throwing anything else down it is moronic.

Jan 18th, 2018 12:03 am

rotjong: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2009; 1705 posts; 350 upvotes

Jan 18th, 2018 12:03 am

I work in wastewater and let me tell you you it is not fun unclogging sewage pumps, all these wipes and rags, dental floss, hair, condoms, needles toys and other foreign materials do not belong in the sewer line. It costs municipalities millions by maintaining these sewage pumps and unclogging sewer lines not to mention waste water treatment plants.

Jan 18th, 2018 9:03 am

arisk: Deal Addict; Nov 12, 2006; 2299 posts; 1312 upvotes; London

Jan 18th, 2018 9:03 am

engineered wrote: ↑ Only shit and piss should go down your toilet. Throwing anything else down it is moronic.

That statement is too generalized.
Think about the plumbing system.
All the drains in your home meet before they exit and enter the sewer system, so as long as it is something that goes down a drain anywhere in the home it really doesn't matter.
There is no technical reason that any normal sink drainage, laundry, dishwasher, etc. can't go down a toilet.

It makes no sense to say soap and water couldn't go down a toilet, while the bathroom sink is OK, when they combine a few feet away.

The answer to the OP, is no.
Take away the lysol and I don't see how the base material of these is any different than other wipes which shouldn't be flushed.

Jan 18th, 2018 9:23 am

tebore: Deal Guru; Feb 9, 2006; 12487 posts; 7073 upvotes; Brampton

Jan 18th, 2018 9:23 am

SMH at all these first time living alone problems
I'm so glad I don't live in a condo.

Jan 18th, 2018 10:18 am

PCUSER [OP]: Deal Addict; Jun 23, 2010; 1824 posts; 258 upvotes; Markham

Jan 18th, 2018 10:18 am

tebore wrote: ↑ SMH at all these first time living alone problems
I'm so glad I don't live in a condo.

This issue could very well be pertinent to standard home dwellers. It's infrastructure specific so I wouldn't breath to easy over it. Condo or no condo is not the issue.Im getting educated over the discussion.

Last edited by PCUSER on Jan 18th, 2018 10:18 am, edited 1 time in total.

Jan 18th, 2018 10:20 am

PCUSER [OP]: Deal Addict; Jun 23, 2010; 1824 posts; 258 upvotes; Markham

Jan 18th, 2018 10:20 am

arisk wrote: ↑ That statement is too generalized.
Think about the plumbing system.
All the drains in your home meet before they exit and enter the sewer system, so as long as it is something that goes down a drain anywhere in the home it really doesn't matter.
There is no technical reason that any normal sink drainage, laundry, dishwasher, etc. can't go down a toilet.

It makes no sense to say soap and water couldn't go down a toilet, while the bathroom sink is OK, when they combine a few feet away.

The answer to the OP, is no.
Take away the lysol and I don't see how the base material of these is any different than other wipes which shouldn't be flushed.

We had the carpets and furniture steam vac'd and the guy put the waste water down our toilet, just an additional point.

Jan 18th, 2018 10:46 am

Smiley22: Deal Addict; Mar 14, 2006; 1695 posts; 1448 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 18th, 2018 10:46 am

Why would you flush these down the toilet. Just throw them in the garage after use. Definitely damage the system over time. Why would you even think it is ok to do this!! This is common sense.

Jan 18th, 2018 11:12 am

Chickinvic: Deal Fanatic; Dec 27, 2009; 7584 posts; 4962 upvotes; Victoria, BC

Jan 18th, 2018 11:12 am

Don't flush anything but bodily waste and toilet paper!