What Can I Flush?

Herring has fished a lot of things out of toilets and septic systems over the last 50 years. And each time, it has cost the septic owner money.

Learn More About Your Septic System

What You Can't Flush

Everything in this list has been found flushed down a toilet. Some are funnier than others. All of them cost the septic owner a service call.

  • Flushable Wipes
  • Slinky
  • Baby Wipes (including flushable)
  • Kitty Litter
  • Q-Tips
  • Cotton Balls and Pads
  • Wet Wipes
  • Dental Floss
  • Grease, Oil or Fat
  • Paper Towels
  • Diapers
  • Feminine Hygiene
  • Tampons
  • Civil War Cannon Shell
  • Training Bra
  • Barbie
  • Ken Doll
  • GI Joe
  • Matchbox Car
  • Liquor Bottle
  • False Teeth
  • Diamond Ring
  • Dead Animals
  • Cell Phone or IPhone
  • Food
  • Money or Coins
  • Capsule Sponge Animals
  • Dentures
  • Drugs and Paraphernalia 
  • Condoms
  • An Easter Egg
  • Wigs
  • Seashells
  • Clothes and Sheets
  • Cigarette Butts
  • Toothbrush
  • A Lightbulb
  • Flusher Handle
  • Lottery Ticket worth $50K
  • Prisoner Uniform Pants
  • Lighters
  • Toupees
  • Electric Razors
  • False Eyeballs

What You Can Flush

The only thing that should go in your septic tank besides septic-safe toilet paper is what comes out of the human body.


Remember if you're flushing or washing it down the drain or a toilet, you have to think about where it's going to end up. It's going to be going down a four inch pipe that leads to your septic tank. And then eventually your drain field. Just because they say it's septic safe, doesn't mean it will make it successfully down that pipe and through each section of your septic system. 

If you have recently relocated to a more rural area, you may be dealing with having a septic for the first time. Septic tanks are generally self managing, as long as you maintain them with regular pumping. You can extend the life and keep the costs low by only flushing septic-friendly items. Extend your septic's life even more by learning the ins and outs of owning a septic system here. All of your FAQs are answered here.

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