People use Q tips for different things — to clean their ears, apply makeup, clean keyboards, remove nail polish, and many more. But no matter how you use them, it looks like cotton swabs always end up in one place, and that is your toilet.
It doesn’t feel wrong, but can you flush Q tips down the toilet? No, you can’t flush cotton swabs in the toilet.
Q tips are the usual suspects when your toilet gets stuck because they form clogs with ease. Keep reading to learn what makes cotton swabs so bad for your toilet and how to remove them when they create a clog.
Why Shouldn’t You Throw Cotton Swabs In the Toilet?
Like paper towels, Q tips are so thin that you might think it’s not a problem to throw them in the bathroom throne. However, two things make cotton swabs very dangerous for the sewer or your septic system.
The Length
The average Q tip is nothing but a four-inch stick with cotton heads on both ends. On the other side, a standard toilet trap and pipes are only two inches wide. This means that Q tips can easily slip through the gap and block the toilet drain.
And unlike toilet paper and human waste, cotton swabs don’t dissolve in water because they are plastic.
Don’t expect them to flow horizontally through the pipes — the flush system is so strong that it spins the swab in all directions. In such circumstances, they are likely to get stuck and form at least a partial clog.
The Blockade
The worst thing about cotton swab clogs is the blockade they make, stopping other kinds of waste from passing through the pipe. That includes the usual debris such as human feces and toilet paper.
Even if they don’t clog your toilet 100%, Q tips will soon accumulate enough debris to block it completely. Sometimes a single swab causes a lot of damage because it glues to other particles and toilet waste.
The worst thing is that you can’t expect the toilet to unclog itself because the blockade is too firm and resistant.
Prevention is the only sustainable alternative. Instead of throwing Q tips in the toilet bowl, you should do it in the trash can. Put a trash bin in the corner or next to the toilet — it makes a much better target.
How to Remove Q-Tip Clogs From Your Toilet?
You have to remember that Q tips don’t react to chemicals, so you can only remove them using toilet tools. Here’s what you can do to unclog a toilet:
Solution 1: Use Your Hands
Although it sounds ugly, sometimes the easiest solution is to pinch Q tips with your fingers. Check whether you can see cotton swabs at the bottom of the toilet — if yes, grab them and pull them out.
It will clear the path for water and debris, so your toilet can work as usual. Keep in mind that wearing rubber gloves is a must — you don’t want to get your hands dirty and wet.
Solution 2: Unclog the Toilet with an Auger
Most time, the swab clog is too deep for you to reach it with your hands. In this case, you can use a toilet auger to dislodge and remove clogs. It’s a long rod with wire spirals on its end, and it quickly cleans up nasty blockages.
You need to push the auger into the drain and twist it clockwise using a rubber handle. However, do not apply too much force because you can damage the toilet or even break it.
If you don’t have a toilet drill at home, a metal coat hanger can serve as a valuable alternative. It’s easy to twist and bend the hanger, so you can form a long wire suitable for breaking clogs in the drains.
Solution 3: Use a Toilet Plunger
Q tips can create a sturdy clog, so you’ll need to apply pressure to push through it. A toilet plunger should do it — place it over the porcelain surface, create a vacuum seal, and start pushing and pulling.
Plunge until you hear the water gurgling down the lines. It’s a sign that you broke the clog and pushed the swabs into the sewer or septic system.
Solution 4: Call a Plumber
If the clog is too large and too deep, tools like an auger or plunger won’t help you. In this case, your only option is to call a licensed plumber to do the job for you.
It’s not the perfect scenario as you’ll have to pay much more and wait for the plumber to arrive. However, everything is better than having Q tip clogs in your toilet.
Thing You Should Never Flush
There’s an endless list of things you should never flush down the toilet because they damage the draining system and cause clogs. Q tips are one of them, but here are other things that you’ll often throw in the bowl.
- Nail clippings and hair
- Tampons, baby wipes, and similar hygiene products
- Chewing gums, cooking grease, and cigarette butts
- Paper towels and feminine products
The list goes on, but it’s easier to say that you can only flush water-soluble waste – toilet paper, urine, and feces.
The Bottom Line
So can you flush Q tips down the toilet?
Flushing Q tips is not a good idea, and you’ll figure it out as soon as the first clog starts blocking the toilet. You should never throw things in the toilet bowl, so make sure to use a waste basket instead.
If cotton swabs block the drains, you can unclog the toilet using a plunger, a toilet auger, or even your bare hands. And when you finally remove Q tips, remember not to throw them in the toilet again.
FAQ
Can dental floss clog a toilet?
Yes, dental floss can clog your toilet. Dental floss can rarely do it alone, but it will partially block the pipes and cause other kinds of waste to stick to them. When debris builds up, it will form a clog and prevent the toilet from working properly.
Dental floss is not like toilet paper. It doesn’t dissolve in water, which makes it as bad for your septic system as Q tips and paper towels.
Should you flush cotton pads?
No, you shouldn’t flush cotton pads. It’s a highly absorbable item that grows when you soak it in the toilet water. As such, cotton pads can build up and clog the toilet – especially if you throw a bundle in a single flush.