You’ve seen the packets — they proudly claim “flushable wipes.” The marketing makes it sound harmless: just pop it down the loo, and job done. But what actually happens once you press that flush button? Do these wipes really vanish into thin air, or are they quietly wreaking havoc?
We’ve seen first-hand what those “flushable” promises can lead to and trust us, it’s not pretty.
Flushable: Truth, or myth?
The idea that wipes are harmless is one of the biggest myths in modern plumbing. Many people assume that if something can make its way down the toilet, it’s fine to flush. The problem? “Flushable” doesn’t mean “biodegradable.” In reality, wipes don’t disintegrate the way toilet paper does. While toilet paper starts breaking down almost immediately in water, most wipes remain intact for days — sometimes even weeks. They’re tough, durable, and designed to hold together when wet….... which is exactly what makes them disastrous for drains.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU FLUSH WIPES?
When you flush a wipe, it doesn’t simply disappear. It travels through your pipes, often catching on bends, joints, or rough surfaces. One wipe might not seem like much, but over time, they start to clump together. Add in some grease, fat, and other debris, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a blockage. Before long, you’re dealing with slow-draining sinks, unpleasant smells, or even a full-blown backup.
In one particularly bad case, we removed what could only be described as a “wipe boulder." Over three kilograms of compacted wipes blocking a single household drain. The customer couldn’t believe that something so small and innocent-looking could cause that much chaos. Unfortunately, these blockages don’t just happen at home. Across the UK, wipes are responsible for an estimated 93% of sewer blockages, costing water companies over £100 million every year to clear. And when the sewers back up, that mess often ends up flooding streets, gardens, and even homes.
WHAT CAN YOU ACTUALLY FLUSH?
There’s a simple rule we swear by: Three Ps — Pee, Poo, and Paper. That’s it. Everything else, including wipes (even those labelled as “flushable”), should go in the bin. It might feel like a small change, but it can make a big difference — saving you from expensive callouts, protecting your local drains, and helping the environment.
So, is it an old wives’ tale or a silent killer? The truth is clear: wipes are the hidden menace of modern plumbing. They don’t break down, they don’t belong in your drains, and they’re causing more damage than most people realise. Next time you see the word “flushable,” remember, just because you can flush it, doesn’t mean you should.
Save your drains, save your wallet, and save the planet.
Bin the wipes, it really isn't worth the hassle
