It’s happened to all of us, right? You’re cleaning up the bathroom, you get to the shower drain, and boom – you’ve got a big handful of shed strands. What do you do next? Throw ‘em in the toilet bowl, of course!
It’s the quickest fix – that unsightly hairball is now out of sight, out of mind. But is flushing big lumps of hair down the toilet every week bad for your plumbing?
In this article, we reveal what really happens to any kind of hair you toss in the toilet and teach you how to properly protect your plumbing from all manner of hairy disaster!
Is Flushing Hair Down the Toilet Bad for Your Plumbing?
Unfortunately, yes. It’s honestly pretty bad. Flushing hair down the toilet isn’t as good of an idea as it seems while you’re cleaning up. It may seem like NBD when you’re dealing with a few hairs, but those strands are sneaky little devils.
The problem is that they don’t break down like toilet paper. Instead, they’re more like teeny tiny lassos, ready to wrangle up anything they find in your pipes.
Think of it like this: your pipes are a highway, and your hair is a roadblock. It starts small, just a few strands here and there. But over time, it mixes with soap scum, toothpaste goop, and all sorts of other grime, building bit by bit into one gigantic traffic jam in your plumbing.
And we all know that at peak traffic, that jam eventually crawls to a total standstill – a.k.a., a clogged drain.
The Environmental Impact: Hair’s Not-So-Fun Journey
But hey, maybe you’re not too worried about a little clog. Fair enough. You’ve dealt with ‘em before and gotten yourself out of worse. We get it, you’re handy as heck! But did you know that flushing hair is bigger than you? It can and does also have a pretty unfortunate impact on the environment.
The problem is, it’s not like your flushed hair just magically disappears. It ends up in the sewer system, where it can contribute to infamous – and kinda freaky – “fatbergs.” Ever heard of ’em? They’re these gross, gigantic blobs of fat, oil, wet wipes, and you guessed it, hair, that create all kinds of issues in our sewer systems. They’re like unbelievably massive hairballs for the city, and they’re a real pain to deal with. Don’t make the city spend a bunch of much-needed budget money on hairballs!
And the fatbergs are only part of the problem. Many hair care products contain microplastics and other chemicals that contaminate and screw with our waterways. Not exactly the kind of thing you want swimming around with the fishies, right?
Let’s Talk Trash (and Other Hair-y Solutions)
Alright, so we’ve established that flushing hair isn’t the best idea. Fair enough, but now – what should you really be doing with those loose strands? Here are a few ideas:
Option 1: The Trash Can Tango
This one’s a no-brainer, folks. Simply scoop up your hair into a paper towel or a wad of toilet paper and chuck it in the garbage. Easy peasy, right? Plus, you can feel good knowing you’re not contributing to any fatberg fiascos down the line.
Option 2: Compost It
If you’re a gardening guru or just like to get your hands dirty, consider composting your hair. That’s right, your hair is actually a valuable addition to the compost pile! It’s packed with nitrogen, which is a key nutrient for plants. So, instead of clogging your pipes, those strands can help nourish your garden. Talk about a win-win!
Option 3: Hair Catchers to the Rescue
These little gizmos are like superheroes for your drain. You can easily fit them over a drain opening to catch all the loose hair before it even has a chance to start any issues. They’re pretty cheap, made to be easy to clean, and can save you lots of plumbing headaches down the line. Plus, there are all sorts of fun designs out there, so you can even add a little personality to your bathroom.
Option 4: Get Your Craft On
Feeling creative? This might sound weird at first, but hair can actually be used for all sorts of crafty projects. You can make it a part of adorable animal sculptures, weave it into jewelry, or even use it to make unique and fun textiles. It’s a crafty and sustainable way to upcycle your shed hair and give it a new purpose.
Your Toilet is NOT a Trash Can: 5 More Things You Shouldn’t Flush
While we’re on the subject of what not to flush, let’s talk about a few other common culprits that can cause plumbing problems:
1. “Flushable” Wipes: The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Yeah, yeah, I hear you. The package says “flushable.” This is, unfortunately, all a big marketing gimmick! They might swirl down the drain, but they sure as heck don’t break down like toilet paper. Instead, they tangle up your pipes and create crazy blockages that’ll make you wish you’d never heard of the word “plumber.”
2. Cotton Balls, Q-Tips, and Other Fluffy Troublemakers
Cotton might seem innocent enough, but it’s a plumbing system’s worst nightmare. Cotton balls, Q-tips, makeup pads – they all love to soak up water and expand, turning into little blockages that wreak havoc on your pipes. They’re like those gremlins from the ’80s movie: cute and fuzzy at first, but then they multiply and cause chaos.
3. Dental Floss: The String of Destruction
Flossing is great for your teeth, not so much for your pipes. That stringy stuff is surprisingly strong and doesn’t break down in water. When you flush it, it can get tangled up in other debris, creating a sticky mess that’s tougher to clear than a bowl of spaghetti.
4. “Flushable” Cat Litter: The Environmental Offender
Don’t let the “flushable” label fool you. This is a gimmick, just like with those “flushable” wipes. Most cat litters, even the ones that claim to be safe for your toilet, are made of materials that don’t break down easily and can clog your pipes. Plus, they can contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can pollute our waterways.
5. Grease and Oil: The Congealing Blob
Ever poured bacon grease down the drain, thinking, “It’s liquid, it’ll be fine”? Yeah, that was a bad idea! All of that used cooking oil and grease cools and solidifies in your pipes, creating a massive mess that other debris sticks to like a spider web. It’s like pouring hot candle wax down your drain and expecting it not to harden. There are way safer ways to get rid of your oils and grease!
The Bottom Line: Your Drains (and the Planet) Will Thank You
Sure, flushing a few strands of hair might not seem like a big deal. But over time, those little actions can add up to a big problem. By making a small change and finding a better way to dispose of your hair, you can save yourself the headache of clogged drains and do your part to protect the environment.
So, go on and ditch that hair-flushing habit. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!
