Those “flushable” wipes aren’t so flushable

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Labels can be misleading…

Be careful what you flush down your toilet. A lot of advertisers state that their toilet wipes are “flushable” insinuating that they’re safe for your drain, but it’s a misleading title. Firstly, let’s clarify that there are some companies that actually use a decomposing wipe that  will eventually break down. These wipes are made of cellulose fibers similar to toilet paper which allow the fibers to break apart once submerged in water. Your basic baby wipe is not made of cellulose fibers, it’s actually made of plastic fibers preventing it from breaking apart once submerged.

Although flushable wipes aren’t the leading cause of clogged drains, it contributes significantly. A recent study shows that baby wipes contributed to a large City’s sewer issues by 38%, followed by disposable hand towels at 34%, cosmetic and surface wipes at 19%, and feminine products at 7%.

So next time you see flushable wipes at your local store, don’t fall for the misleading labels. If you must use these types of wipes, be sure to always dispose of them in the garbage regardless of their packaging details. This includes cleaning wipes, baby wipes, adult personal hygiene wipes, facial wipes and make-up removal wipes.

 

Do You Enjoy Freshly Brewed Coffee?

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Are you a Coffee Lover?

Do you look forward to that fresh  cup of coffee first thing in the morning? Some people even have their brewer set on a timer so that they wake up to the bold aroma of a freshly brewed pot of coffee, without having to lift a finger. But, did you know that your love of coffee could be causing you problems with your drains every time you brew a pot?

Most people aren’t aware of the fact that they shouldn’t put coffee grinds down the drain. Coffee grinds are one of the biggest culprits for a clogged drain, alongside cooking grease, fats and oils. Unlike other food particles that get washed down the drain, coffee grinds don’t break apart once they’ve mixed with water – they actually clump up together. This forms a larger mass that becomes fairly difficult to break apart, and over time will clog your whole drainage system.

So, how do we prevent this from happening and also continue our beloved devotion to coffee? To prevent this from becoming a reoccurring issue in your home, always throw out coffee filters in the trash and use a paper towel to wipe out as many remaining coffee grinds from the filter compartment as possible. This will eliminate the amount of grinds that are being rinsed down the drain and decrease your odds of having your drains backed up.