# Why can't I flush? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 12, 2004, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-flush/233978 "2004-03-12T22:46:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![festiva76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e8cbc/32.png) [@festiva76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/festiva76)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-flush/233978/1 "2004-03-12T22:46:03Z")
Those darn baby wipes. Why does every box have that warning on the back? They seem harmless enough. What makes them non-flushable? ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-flush/233978/2 "2004-03-12T22:49:30Z")
WAG: They’re probably designed to not disintegrate when wet. Which is very welcome for the purpose of wiping, but can cause problems in plumbing, and means they have to be scooped out manually at the first stage of sewage treatment. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-flush/233978/3 "2004-03-12T22:51:41Z")
Sure you can flush them! Go right ahead, what’s stopping you? Seriously, they’re made of a paper type much stronger than your average TP (though I’ve worked in some places…) and won’t break up like TP does. Of course, enough TP down the toilet and you’ll be blocked, too, but… ---
**Author:** ![rhinostylee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bc79bd/32.png) [@rhinostylee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhinostylee)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-flush/233978/4 "2004-03-12T23:23:41Z")
You know, I think I’m going to use baby wipes on myself. Normal tp just doesn’t cut the mustard. Oh wait, I have a roommate. Damn! He’d tell everyone and I’d be ruined! ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-flush/233978/5 "2004-03-13T03:14:02Z")
> [@rhinostylee](#): > > You know, I think I’m going to use baby wipes on myself. Normal tp just doesn’t cut the mustard. > > Oh wait, I have a roommate. Damn! He’d tell everyone and I’d be ruined! Wet normal toilet paper under the tap (just a quick splash or else it will disintegrate in your hands). A dab of liquid hand soap will make it baby-wipish. Peace. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-flush/233978/6 "2004-03-13T03:51:13Z")
Equate Flushable Wipes from Wal Mart are, obviously, flushable. I believe Wet Ones are as well. These aren’t baby wipes but aside from a baby-related fragrance, I doubt there’s any difference. ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Train\_Song](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Black\_Train\_Song](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Train_Song)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-flush/233978/7 "2004-03-13T04:04:57Z")
I used to be a drain and sewer cleaner and I say DON’T flush’em even if they claim to be flushable. Toilet paper breaks up easily in water, baby wipes and paper towels don’t. If you don’t have completely perfect plumbing there’s a good chance they’ll catch on something, which will create a dam behind it and Whammo! You’re in a world of…poop.