Have you ever absent-mindedly flushed flushable wipes or baby wipes down the toilet and ended up having to figure out how to unclog your toilet clogged with flushable wipes? I know I’m not the only one.
Now, don’t get me wrong, baby wipes don’t always clog the toilet, but too much wipes, flushable or non-flushable, is sure to make a problem sooner or later.
So, what do you do when flushable wipes clog your toilet? Well, most of the time, you’ll need to call a plumber, because wipes are so darn stubborn.
And, I should make it clear that even wipes labeled as “flushable” can still clog your toilet. So, it’s best to try to avoid flushing any type of wipes down any type of toilet you own, no matter how strong of a flush you think your toilet may have!
Now let’s get to how to the part where I help you try to unclog that toilet clogged with “flushable” wipes.
Don’t Flush Baby Wipes Down The Toilet Drain!
I know you are probably reading this because you have already clogged your toilet drain with baby wipes, however, I will let you in on a secret I didn’t know before I had kids… Wipes go in the waste disposal bin(trash can), not the toilet bowl! Avoid flushing baby wipes at all times because you cannot dissolve baby wipes.
Now, I know it can be tough to keep the toilet unclogged when you have small children who probably love throwing toilet paper and stuff like baby wipes into the toilet. For that situation, consider a toilet seat lock to keep kids completely out of the toilet.
Why You Should Never Flush Flushable Wipes Down the Toilet
The term “flushable” is frequently used by manufacturers of baby wipes on their packaging. There is no such thing as a flushable wipe, according to plumbing experts. Wipes can clog plumbing systems in homes and harm pipes and machinery at wastewater treatment plants because they don’t break down in water.
How Long Do Baby Wipes Take to Clog a Toilet?
Baby wipes can clog a toilet drain in a matter of days, depending on how frequently you flush them. You might even clog the toilet drain if you toss a handful of baby wipes down the toilet in one go.
It might sound strange, but if you’ve clogged the toilet in one instant of flushing baby wipes, you may have an easier solution of taking them out with your hand. Sounds gross, but it’s better than having your toilet clogged with baby wipes and having to call a professional plumber.
What Dissolves Baby Wipes in the Toilet?
Baby wipes in the toilet are impossible to disintegrate. Water and commercial cleaning agents have no effect on them, making them extremely long-lasting. Baby wipes can only be removed manually.
Which takes us to the next section of “how to remove baby wipes from your clogged toilets”…
How to Remove Baby Wipes From a Clogged Toilet?
Now that you’ve realized that you have an emergency on your hands, let’s help you try to unclog this situation. Here are some tried and tested solutions to unclog a toilet clogged with flushable wipes or baby wipes.
Pull the Baby Wipes Out of the Clogged Toilet
The first option is unsightly, but it’s also simple: use your fingers to remove baby wipes from the toilet bowl. All you have to do is pinch and pull them out depending on how close they are to the toilet bowl.
This approach, however, only works if the baby wipes are close enough for you to reach with your hands. It’s possible if you can see them near the suction jet. Even if you don’t notice the wipes, you might still be able to pull them out of the toilet pipe.
Push your fingers as far as they will go and wiggle to see if you can reach the baby wipes in the toilet trap. Grab them with at least a couple of fingers and pull them out if you feel them.
Before attempting the first remedy, we recommend removing the water from the toilet bowl. It will make your job lot easier and less filthy. Drain the water using a plastic cup, then pick up the leftover drops with the sponge.
Also, please don’t forget to use gloves to keep your hands clean and free of contaminants.
Try Using a Toilet Plunger
Although the second option is more convenient, it does not guarantee that the wipes will be pulled out. A toilet plunger can occasionally remove items from the toilet, but it is more likely to force them down the drain.
Your sole objective, though, is to unclog the toilet in some way. Make sure to use a plunger to unseal the bowl, as this is a common equipment that you presumably already have in your bathroom.
The plunger should seal properly if the toilet is reasonably wet. The plunger should be pressed against the toilet bowl’s rim so that its rim fits snugly. Push and pull it a few times to release trapped air and produce pressure to unclog your toilet.
Do it a few times until you hear water gurgling – this means the plunger pushed baby wipes down the bathroom drain and released them.
Try Using a Toilet Auger or Plumbing Snake
If a plunger is unable to break through the stuck baby wipes, a toilet auger should be used. This gadget, also known as a toilet snake, is long enough to reach baby wipes in the toilet bowl’s deep recesses.
It has a wire cable with an auger head that loosens blockages, so insert it into the pipe and crank it clockwise until the drill reaches the blockage. You’ll probably hear and feel the toilet clog opening after that.
While going out, most toilet snakes include claws to grip and pull material. It means that you can remove baby wipes from the toilet and dispose of them in the garbage.
Lubricate Clogged Baby Wipes With Dish Soap
Another intriguing approach to deal with toilet clogs is to use dish soap. The beauty of soap is that it lowers water’s surface tension. This feature can be used to lubricate clogged baby wipes, allowing them to flow down the toilet drain further.
Pour some dish soap into the toilet and wait a few minutes until the liquid has completely covered all surfaces inside the bowl. After that, rinse the bowl with a pail of hot water and soak all obstructions for a bit.
This approach isn’t 100% effective — especially if you’re dealing with huge clogs — but it’s worth a go. After all, you could even be able to unclog the toilet without having to use your hands!
Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid overflowing. Pouring too much dish soap and water into a fully clogged toilet may flood the bowl and leak onto the bathroom floor. You won’t have an overflow if you pour slowly.
Call a Professional Plumber
Unfortunately, there are occasions when there is nothing you can do to unclog your toilet. This is the time to hire a professional plumber – it’ll be expensive, but it’ll be the only option that will work for you.
Of course, if you don’t want to deal with plungers and augers, you can call a professional plumber straight away, before getting your hands all dirty.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Flush (Any) Baby Wipes Down the Toilet?
Because baby wipes can clog the toilet, it’s only reasonable to wonder if they should be flushed at all. The only answer is no, baby wipes should not be flushed down the toilet.
You can do it if you want, but we’ll show you three reasons why you shouldn’t.
Baby Wipes Are Not Flushable
The first reason to avoid flushing baby wipes is that they are not flushable. Many manufacturers claim differently, but it’s just a word game – baby wipes can be flushed down the toilet, but will they dissolve in water?
In the vast majority of circumstances, the answer is no.
Some companies are now producing “flushable” baby wipes that can be flushed down the toilet, but we don’t see much of a difference because they’re made of the same non-biodegradable ingredients.
Baby Wipes Clog Toilet Drains
The second reason to avoid flushing baby wipes down the toilet is that they can quickly accumulate in the pipes and cause them to become clogged. Unlike toilet paper, baby wipes clog the toilet by attracting and binding to additional particles, causing clogs to grow even larger.
Baby wipes are particularly harmful to septic systems. They destroy the beneficial bacteria in the septic tank, allowing waste to accumulate more faster. Unlike toilet paper, nothing dissolves baby wipes.
No Chemical Can Dissolve Them
Manufacturers make baby wipes that are extremely durable. They don’t dissolve in water and only infrequently react with chemicals in cleaning products.
On the other hand, can bleach dissolve baby wipes? Traditional toilet cleaners, such as bleach, also don’t work because they can’t break up the clogs, so adding bleach merely makes the problem worse.
Another point worth addressing is that chemicals used to dissolve baby wipes are likely to cause damage to your utility wires. Plastic and steel components are unable to withstand their strength.
How Many Baby Wipes Will Clog the Toilet?
You might put a few baby wipes down the toilet now and then, but how much is enough to clog the toilet? This puzzle has no obvious solution.
One or two wipes every flush, for example, are unlikely to harm your toilet in the near future. However, if you chuck a bunch at once, the chances of clogging the toilet skyrocket.
It also depends on the state of your toilet – if it’s ancient or partially clogged, baby wipes will simply aggravate the situation. In the end, you should not dump baby wipes down the toilet since they will cause you problems sooner or later.
How to Avoid Throwing Baby Wipes in The Toilet
It may seem natural to flush baby wipes down the toilet, but what can you do to avoid this bad habit?
To begin, get in the habit of putting dirty baby wipes in a plastic bag. After that, you can toss it in the waste basket. The garbage can can be placed close to the toilet as a second option. When tossing wipes, you merely need to change the target.
Finally, keep in mind that only organic materials such as feces, urine, and toilet paper go in the toilet. Everything else, even baby wipes, should be avoided.
Final Words
It’s not a good idea to flush baby wipes down the toilet since you’ll have to figure out how to unclog a toilet clogged with flushable wipes.
Because chemicals can’t dissolve baby wipes, you’ll have to do it by hand. You can use your hands to grab the wipes, but you can also use a plunger, a toilet auger, or soap. The final option is to call a plumber.
When you’ve finally unclogged the toilet, remember that prevention is far better than dealing with the a toilet clogged with baby wipes. It will save you time and keep your toilet in working order.
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