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Experts at Initial Washroom Hygiene have uncovered that Brits frequently flush unusual items like sanitary products, e-cigarettes, mobile phones, and even jewelry down the toilet, causing significant plumbing issues and financial costs for cleanup. A survey of 2,074 UK adults revealed alarming habits such as flushing deceased pet fish (26%), nail clippings (35%), paper towels (34%), dental floss (19%), and human hair (34%). Thames Water spends around £18 million annually to remove 3.8 billion wet wipes that clog the system, leading experts to advise sticking only to the 'three Ps'—pee, poo, and toilet paper—for safe disposal down toilets.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Brits are disposing of a variety of everyday objects like sanitary products, food waste, e-cigarettes, mobile phones, and even jewelry by flushing them down toilets. This practice is costing millions annually to clean up. According to Initial Washroom Hygiene, which surveyed 2,074 UK adults, these items can cause significant damage to drainage systems. Jamie Woodhall, the UK Technical and Innovations Manager at Initial Washroom Hygiene, explains that such objects do not break down easily and accumulate in pipes, leading to costly blockages. Additionally, fats and oils washed down sinks contribute to the formation of "fatbergs," further exacerbating plumbing issues.
Written for “Toilet Clogging Items” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Forget the bin – some Brits are getting rid of unwanted items in the toilet.
asserted
Brits → forget → toilet
Experts at Initial Washroom Hygiene have revealed the most unusual items they've recovered from toilets across the UK.
asserted
they → reveal → UK
Some of the most common culprits include sanitary towels, nappies, food waste, vapes, e-cigarettes and nicotine gum.
However, some hygiene experts admitted they have found clothes, shoes, mobile phones, and even jewellery in toilet bowls.
asserted
they → include → bowls
If left in the system, these items can wreak havoc on drainage, according to Jamie Woodhall, UK Technical and Innovations Manager at Initial Washroom Hygiene.
uncertain
items → leave → Hygiene
He explained: 'Chucking things into the toilet may feel like a quick way to discard items like wet wipes, period products, nail clippings, dead pet goldfish or even those leftover baked beans not eaten at lunchtime, but these items do not break down easily or quickly and are likely to accumulate in your drainage systems.'
Experts at Initial Washroom Hygiene have revealed the most unusual items they've recovered from toilets across the UK
'
uncertain
they → explain → UK
If you add in fats and oils that have been washed away down sinks and then have cooled and congealed, you quickly find the perfect conditions for the formation of a "fatberg",' Mr Woodhall explained
The team at Initial Washroom Hygiene surveyed 2,074 UK adults to test their understanding of what can and can't go in the toilet.
asserted
what → add → toilet
The results showed that more than a quarter (26 per cent) of people would flush a deceased pet fish down the toilet.
asserted
quarter → show → toilet
Other potential toilet–cloggers include nail clippings (flushed by 35 per cent of people), paper towels (34 per cent), dental floss (19 per cent) and human hair (34 per cent).
asserted
cloggers → include → people
What's more, 19 per cent of respondents admitted to flushing tampons down the toilet, 16 per cent said they flush contact lenses, and 13 per cent even said they put condoms in the bog.
The situation isn't much better over in the kitchen, according to Initial Washroom Hygiene.
The survey found that 10 per cent of Brits think it's fine to tip cooking oil, fat or grease straight into their sink.
uncertain
it → admit → sink
'If you add in fats and oils that have been washed away down sinks and then have cooled and congealed, you quickly find the perfect conditions for the formation of a "fatberg",' Mr Woodhall added.
asserted
Woodhall → add → fatberg
Removing fatbergs comes at a hefty cost.
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Removing → remove → cost
Thames Water says that it removes 3.8 billion wet wipes that have been flushed every year, at a cost of around £18 million.
asserted
that → say → million
As for what you can put down the toilet, the experts advise sticking to the 'three Ps'.
asserted
experts → put → Ps
As for what you can put down the toilet, the experts advise sticking to the 'three Ps'.
asserted
experts → put → Ps
Mr Woodhall advised: 'People should exercise better "drain discipline" by only flushing the three Ps – pee, poo and paper down toilets.
asserted
People → advise → toilets
'Everything else such as nappies, period products and wet wipes should always go in a waste bin.
asserted
Everything → go → bin
'Using a sink plug basket or sink strainer is also an excellent way to catch stray food scraps before they enter your pipework.
asserted
they → use → pipework
'If you spot the warning signs of a potential blockage, such as water backing up in the toilet, persistent foul smells or sinks draining slowly, then it is time to investigate the issue or seek professional advice from a drainage company or plumber to identify the cause and decide on the appropriate action.'
asserted
it → spot → action
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