The Strange Items People Flush Down the Loo in Ireland

Have You Ever Thought About Whether or Not to Flush an Item Down a Toilet?

In the quirky world of washroom habits, what goes down the loo can often be more surprising than you might think. While toilets are designed to handle only certain types of waste, people sometimes treat them as a catch-all disposal system. From the peculiar to the outright bizarre, let’s dive into the unusual items that find their way down the toilet in the Emerald Isle. 

Prepare for an enlightening and entertaining journey as we explore these strange flushing habits backed by some intriguing data.

The Top Contenders: What Are People Flushing?

Toilets in Ireland have seen it all. In fact, nearly one million adults in Ireland are treating their toilets like bins, according to a recent survey. Surprisingly, some of the most common items flushed include paper towels (26%), nail clippings (21%), and hair cuttings (16%). Unlike toilet paper, paper towels don’t break down easily, causing blockages and plumbing havoc. Nail clippings, though tiny, can contribute to blockages when combined with other materials, while hair cuttings tend to form clumps or “hairballs” that can clog pipes. Men are more likely to flush paper towels (33%) compared to women (20%), while 15% of the fairer sex admit to flushing sanitary products despite knowing better.

Younger adults (18-24) are the biggest culprits, with 39% admitting to flushing paper towels, 21% nail clippings, and 14% face wipes. In contrast, older adults (65+) are more cautious, with only 1% flushing tampons and 2% flushing tablets or medicine.

What Should You Flush?

Understanding what is safe to flush is crucial. In Ireland, it’s recommended only to flush toilet paper and natural bodily waste to maintain proper plumbing and sewage functions.

Unusual Flushing and Washroom Habits

Our technicians have reported a surprising array of items people try to flush down toilets or leave behind in washrooms.

The Strangest Items Discovered in a Toilet Bowl

1. False Teeth: Imagine the plumber’s surprise when they fish out a set of false teeth! It’s like stumbling upon buried treasure in the depths of a toilet bowl.
2. Dead Cat: Who on earth thought flushing a cat was a good idea? It’s a morbid mystery that leaves everyone scratching their heads.
3. Crisp Wrappers, Chewing Gum, and Tinfoil: These innocent-looking items form a mischievous trio that wreaks havoc in plumbing, akin to trying to flush down your picnic leftovers.
4. Nappies: Attempting to flush nappies down the toilet is asking for trouble. They soak up everything in sight, turning your pipes into a diaper disaster zone!
5. Adult Toy: Discovering one of these in a toilet is sure to raise eyebrows and questions about its journey from bedside table to bowl.
6. Whole Pack of Toilet Paper: Someone must have had a serious paper emergency to flush an entire pack down the loo. Talk about a paper jam!
7. Handbag: Bid farewell to someone’s purse, tossed into the toilet in a fit of frustration. Hopefully, they didn’t have their life savings in there!
8. Pizza: An entire pizza in the toilet? Perhaps someone had a change of heart about their takeaway, but flushing it wasn’t the solution.
9. Rotisserie Chicken: Flushing a whole chicken is quite the extravagant disposal method. Maybe it was a dinner disaster they wanted to forget.
10. Condoms: Despite warnings, these aquatic non-creatures are frequently found clogging pipes. It seems some things just shouldn’t go down the drain!

Unusual Sights Seen in a Washroom

1. A Dog: Dogs have been known to wander into bathrooms, adding an unexpected furry friend to your washroom visit.
2. Roast Dinner: Someone’s Sunday roast was found in the washroom, perhaps a peculiar choice for a picnic spot.
3. Handcuffs: Discarded handcuffs bring a touch of mystery, leaving you to wonder what story lies behind them.
4. A Blow-Up Doll: This unexpected visitor adds a comedic twist to the washroom scene.
5. Wet Chocolate Muffins Smeared on the Walls: An unusual and messy decoration choice that leaves quite the impression.
6. A Rocking Horse: This classic toy seems out of place but adds a whimsical touch to the washroom.
7. A Bicycle: Finding a bicycle in a washroom might convince you it’s the latest in bathroom decor: pedal-powered plumbing.
8. Carpet: A full piece of carpet in the washroom is not only unusual but quite impractical.
9. A TV: Catching up on your favourite show in the washroom? Someone thought it was a good idea.
10. A Cat Drinking Out of the Toilet Bowl: This feline behaviour adds a quirky and somewhat unhygienic sight to the list.

Ireland’s washroom antics are a blend of humour and curiosity. While it’s amusing to see what people flush or leave behind, it’s also a reminder of the importance of proper bathroom etiquette. By being mindful of what we flush and how we treat public restrooms, we can keep our plumbing systems and communal spaces in top shape.

To ensure responsible disposal practices, businesses should provide appropriate waste bins, including sanitary bins within toilet cubicles, to discourage flushing inappropriate items. Rentokil Initial Ireland offers expert 24/7 services to keep your facilities operating seamlessly. Contact us today to benefit from our professional drain cleaning or hygiene solutions.