Please don't flush this down the toilet

The dirty truth about "flushable" wipes - and why plumbers hate them

The Dirty Truth About ‘Flushable’ Wipes – And Why Plumbers Hate Them

Here are some cold, hard facts straight from Sydney Water:

• 1 in 4 Sydneysiders admit to flushing wet wipes.

• 72% of those people either believe the wipes are biodegradable or simply aren’t sure.

• The biggest offenders? Men aged 15–44.

• An overwhelming 75% of sewer blockages involve wet wipes that were flushed.

Let’s unpack that. Ever heard of a fatberg?

Most people haven’t – but here at MDG Plumbing Services, we see them more often than we’d like.

What Is a Fatberg?

A fatberg is a nasty combination of flushed wet wipes, fats, oils, grease, and other non-biodegradable waste. When these materials meet in your pipes or in the wider sewage system, they bind together into a solid, rock-like chunk that can completely block the plumbing network.

The worst part? Fatbergs don’t just happen in city sewers – they can form in your property’s own pipes.

The Truth About ‘Flushable’ Wipes

We hear it all the time: “But the packaging says they’re flushable!”

If we could remove that label ourselves, we would. The reality is, while some wipes are technically “flushable” (as in, they’ll go down the toilet), they don’t break down quickly like toilet paper.

In fact, they stick around in your pipes, holding together longer than even paper towels. That slow disintegration leads to blockages in drains and eventually to full-on clogs. Best-case scenario: you need a plumber to clear out the mess. Worst case? It makes its way into the sewer line, causing a major sewer backup or fatberg formation.

How Flushable Wipes Damage Your Plumbing

Even if a wipe clears the toilet bowl, it might not make it all the way through your drain system. These wipes don’t dissolve like toilet paper – they stay intact and can build up in your pipes over time.

Here’s what happens:

• A small clog forms in the pipe.

• More wipes (or other non-flushables) pile up.

• Cooking fats, oils, and hair act like glue, turning the mass into a rock-solid blockage.

• This can cause sewage to back up into your home, destroy pumps in your septic system, or even contribute to city-wide blockages at treatment plants.

Even if they make it to a wastewater facility, the wipes can damage pumps and infrastructure, potentially impacting whole communities with sewage overflows and service disruptions.

So… What Can Be Flushed?

Only these three things should ever go down the toilet: Pee, Poop, and (Toilet) Paper. That’s it.

Everything else? Straight to the bin.

What Should Never Be Flushed?

Let’s break it down:

• Cosmetic Wipes – They don’t disintegrate and are a major cause of blockages.

• Baby Wipes – Soft but stubborn, these are not biodegradable and will clog pipes fast.

• Tampons & Pads – Never flush! Wrap and bin them instead.

• Dental Floss – Made from tough materials like nylon, it tangles and causes nasty clogs.

• Cotton Tips/Swabs – Small but mighty when it comes to causing blockages.

• Soap Scraps – That tiny leftover piece of soap? Don’t flush it. Bin it.

• Hair – Especially when mixed with wipes or grease, it binds everything together and blocks drains.

Fatbergs Are Preventable

Want to avoid a costly and messy plumbing emergency? Stop flushing wipes. Even the ones labelled “flushable.”

If you really must use wet wipes, always dispose of them in the bin – never the toilet.

If you’re dealing with a blocked toilet or suspect you’ve got a bigger problem like a sewer backup, it’s time to call in the professionals.

Call MDG Plumbing Services Today

We’re available 24/7, with no call-out fees and a fully qualified team of emergency plumbers servicing Sydney Wide.

Give us a call now on 0435 636 278 and we’ll sort it out – fast.