No one wants to clean up vomit, but it’s an inevitable part of life. Sometimes, the mess is just too big and you have to get creative with how you clean it up.
While there are many ways to get rid of this mess, one of the common questions people have is whether or not they can flush it down the toilet. It makes sense; after all, flushing comes into our minds when we think of getting rid of something.
So, can you flush vomit down the toilet? Well, that’s what we will be discussing in this article. Just keep following to know how to go about it.
Is It Okay To Flush Vomit Down The Toilet?
Yes, it’s generally okay to flush vomit down the toilet. Vomiting in the bathroom is an age-old practice that many people do without any consequences. The puke will go down the drain just like any other waste material.
To begin with, vomiting is healthy! Yes, as much as it may seem like something that you should avoid at all costs, puking has some benefits. It helps get rid of toxins from your body. And in some cases, it can also help relieve nausea and other digestive issues.
Of course, there are also some drawbacks to vomiting. For one, it can lead to dehydration if you puke too much. It can also be quite messy, and, in some cases, it can even lead to injuries.
However, these drawbacks are usually not a big deal if you only puke once in a while. And, as long as you’re careful, there’s no need to worry about flushing vomit down the toilet.
Can Vomit Go Down a Sink?
The answer to this question is a bit more complicated. You see, it’s possible to vomit into the sink and have the mess go down the drain if the vomit doesn’t contain large chunks of food. However, where things get tricky is where there are large pieces of undigested food in the equation.
Vomit can cause blockages in your pipes if it contains large pieces of food. And, if the jam is bad enough, it can lead to severe problems that could prove expensive to solve.
So, if you’re going to vomit into the sink, it’s essential to ensure that there are no large chunks of food in the vomit. Otherwise, you could be dealing with an enormous mess (and a big bill) down the line.
But where the vomit only contains liquid and small pieces of food, it’s usually not a problem to flush it down the toilet or wash it down the sink. Just be sure to clean up the mess afterward so that you don’t leave a trail of vomit for someone else to deal with!
But let’s be honest – when the feeling of throwing up comes, we hardly reach the toilet in time. And yes, that’s how we often end up at the sink.
But does it mean that vomit can go down the sink without causing trouble? Well, keep reading to discover more.
Should You Vomit in The Toilet or Sink?
You can vomit in either the toilet or sink, but there are some things to keep in mind. Just consider how badly you’re feeling and whether or not you think you can make it to the toilet in time.
If you’re feeling sick and don’t think you can make it to the toilet, it’s probably better to vomit into the sink. That way, you can avoid any potential messes (and potential problems).
On the other hand, if you’re feeling okay and think you can make it to the toilet, it’s even better to vomit there. That way, you can avoid potential problems with your pipes (and your wallet).
In addition, it’s essential to ensure that there are no large chunks of food in your vomit. If there are, it’s best to vomit into the toilet so that you don’t risk clogging your pipes.
But practically speaking, you won’t know whether or not your vomit contains large chunks of food until you actually puke. So, if you’re not sure, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and vomit into the toilet. That way, you can avoid any potential problems down the line.
So, it’s really up to you. Just use your best judgment and do what you think is best at the moment.
Where you vomit in the sink, you can use vinegar, baking soda, or even boiling water to help clean up the mess. Either of these will help break down the vomit to be easily flushed down the drain.
To that point, it’s clear that you can flush vomit down the toilet safely. For the sink, it’s safe as long as there are no large chunks of food in it. However, it’s still important to be careful and clean up the mess afterward. Otherwise, you could be dealing with some serious problems later on.
So generally, flushing vomit down the toilet is safe. But if you have to keep your toilet plumbing system in the best condition, you have to beware of what shouldn’t go down there.
Let’s look at some of the daily items that should never touch your toilet!
10 Everyday Items That Should Not Be Flushed Down The Toilet
Although most homeowners don’t realize it, there are actually many items that one shouldn’t flush down the toilet. From personal hygiene products to food waste, there are a lot of items that can clog up your pipes and cause serious problems.
Let’s take a closer look at the rundown of things you shouldn’t dispose of through the toilet;
1. Diapers
You might have seen “flushable” on your diaper package. However, just don’t let that 9-letter word fool you. The reality is that diapers shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, no matter how much the manufacturer tries to convince you otherwise.
The main reason for this is that diapers don’t break down in the water. Instead, they expand and can cause clog in your pipes. And once that happens, you’ll be dealing with a lot of expensive repairs.
So, even though it might be tempting to flush your baby’s dirty diaper down the toilet, it’s best to just throw it away in the trash.
2. Food
Most people know that they shouldn’t flush large pieces of food down the toilet. But what about tiny bits of food waste? Can those be flushed down the toilet without causing any problems?
The answer is no. Even small bits of food can cause problems in your plumbing system. When small pieces of food waste get into your pipes, they can attract other bits of food and debris. You can expect that to only make things worse over time.
3. Grease, Oil, & Fat
This one might surprise you. After all, grease, oil, and fat are all liquids, so how can they possibly clog up your pipes?
The answer has to do with the way that these substances cool down. When you pour hot grease, oil, or fat down the drain, they will flow freely through your pipes. But as they cool down, they start to solidify.
And as they harden, they will adhere to the sides of your lines and trap other debris in its grip. Over time, this can create a troublesome clog in your pipes that will be very difficult to remove.
4. Dental Floss
Dental floss is another surprisingly common item that people flush down the toilet. And like any of the predecessors, dental floss can also invite catastrophe in your plumbing system.
The reason for this is that dental floss is made of nylon. In other words, dental floss expands when it gets wet and can quickly become caught in the pipes, marking the beginning of issues related to your toilet plumbing system.
5. Feminine Hygiene Products
This one should be pretty self-explanatory. Feminine hygiene products are not meant to be flushed down the toilet. The absorbent materials used for feminine hygiene products absorb water and may swell.
In addition, feminine hygiene products can trap other debris in their absorbent materials, creating an even more giant clog that will be very difficult to remove.
6. Hair
Hair is another common item that people flush down the toilet. And like any of the members on the list, it can also attract problems in your plumbing system.
When hair gets into your toilet, it can easily tangle around other debris and create a clog. In addition, hair can also trap air in your pipes, leading to a build-up of pressure and eventually causing your pipes to burst.
7. Band-Aids
While you might not think Band-Aids would be a problem, they actually are. Unlike toilet paper, these first-aid products won’t break up quickly after disposal. That alone is enough to stir trouble in the long run.
Always dispose of Band-Aids in the trash rather than flushing them down the toilet to avoid all that. Where the bandaids contain bloodstains, wrap them with a tissue before tossing them in the trash.
8. Kitty Litter
Kitty litter will swell up when it comes into contact with water. That alone is enough to stir trouble in your toilet piping system. Also, your felines litter may contain some particles of sand, which can further cause issues with your toilet pipes.
In short, you should never flush kitty litter down the toilet. The best way to dispose of it is to scoop it into a plastic bag and throw it in the trash.
9. Cigar Butts
Cigar butts are another common item that people flush down the toilet. However, most smokers don’t realize that cigarette butts contain many chemicals that can contaminate the water supply.
Also, unlike toilet disposables, cigarette butts won’t break down. They can easily clog up your pipes and cause problems in your plumbing system.
Always dispose of cigar butts in the trash rather than flushing them down the toilet. But before you do that, ensure that the butt is wholly extinguished to avoid any fire hazards.
10. Medication
The next time you find expired drugs in your drug cabinet, don’t just flush them down the toilet. While it might seem like the easiest way to get rid of them, it can actually cause serious problems in your plumbing system.
Medications contain chemicals that can contaminate the water supply. Also, some drugs can actually interact with the water in your pipes and create toxic substances.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, vomit usually won’t clog your toilet or even your sink. However, one thing we find worth pointing out is that there’s a long list of everyday items that people ignorantly flush down the toilet without even realizing the consequences.
So, before you flush anything down the toilet, make sure that it’s safe to do so. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to play it safe and dispose of the item in the trash rather than taking a chance with your plumbing system.