Spin-off of Winnebee's thread. I'm curious, so let's do a poll.
I'm not talking the plastic or paper applicator but the actual used tampon with the string attached. I have always flushed it.
-
I used to until I caused a major clog at my parent's house in college. I haven't flushed any since then...my older home definitely can't handle it!
-
Always, except when I'm someplace that I know has iffy plumbing or a septic tank.
-
Never. I always wrap it up and throw it either in the sanitary dispenser or garbage can.
-
Always. But I never used tampons exclusively so it would never be that much and I've never clogged anything and we've lived in some older houses!
-
@Foodnerd81: There's a sign at my work that says not to flush femine products and its includes pictures of pads and a box of tampons. It's a new building so it's not old pipes. I assume people were flushing pads or something and as for tampons, I took it to mean not to flush the applicator. So I flush tampons. Though, this sign was put up at the same time where they tell us to 'sit' or use toilet set covers when we use the bathroom. Apparently, there was a problem with people peeing on the seat or pee on the floor. Yeah, I'm friends with the facilities person and I'm sure the only reason the sign was put up was because it turned into a problem.
-
nononononono...that being said, i forget how i learned that and i don't exactly see a lot of public information about it. and sounds like plenty of people have flushed them without issue.
-
Nope. Someone must've told me not to back in the day, because I've always known whether they're deemed "flushable" or not, that most pipes can't handle them.
-
I only learned that flushing them was considered bad from Hellobee. Haven't had the opportunity to change my habits yet...and I'm not sure whether I will or not.
-
I did until I learned 2 years ago (when we built our house) that septic systems cannot handle them, nor can solid waste treatment centers. I had no idea and I will need to remember to tell my sister and mom too when they visit. I just assumed that we could flush them..oops!
-
Yes, always. But after reading this today I won't. However, we are moving in with my inlaws and I for sure don't want to be putting my used tampons in their trash so will probably switch to a Diva Cup.
-
I know I did at first and I'm not sure when I learned not to. I know my parents weren't too happy when our septic tank was full of them, and I remember there being issues in the college dorms because of it.
I always thoroughly wrap them with tp and throw them away.
-
Never! I've always been told that it's terrible to do that.
-
I used to until a few years ago when we found out it was at least part of the reason our plumbing backed up and caused a swamp in our front yard.
-
I did, but then I learned not to. In use a Diva Cup now anyway, so it's a non issue.
-
I never knew that people flushed tampons - I never use tampons and I always wondered why they were so popular if they were such a PITA to throw away.
Side note: If we still live in this house when DD is a teen and having her first real party, I am so putting up signs in the bathroom!
-
Nope, my parents asked me not to so I never did at home. I used to flush them in other places, until my college dorm bathroom took several flushes to get them to go down so now I always wrap them really well and throw them away.
-
Always. I never knew you weren't supposed to. I thought just the applicator was supposed to be thrown away.
-
Always, and I'm not sure the discovery that I shouldn't will deter me. I'm really struggling with the concept of putting that in my trash. It's different than a pad if you know what I mean.
-
If you have a septic system, DON'T.
-
I was actually made fun if in high school for not flushing tampons so ever since I've made sure to.
-
It's really better not to, all around. Having said that, that's at least part of the reason I stopped using tampons. I'm 100% in the Diva cup camp. (Well, nowadays I'm in the hooray-for-breastfeeding camp... no menstruation for 15 months and counting!)
-
Nope, our house has a brand new septic and we want to keep it in good working order!
-
Not once. I had no idea they were flushable, actually! But even if I had known that, I don't think I would ever flush them.
-
Nope! I remember we had to tell one of my college roommates not to because she clogged the toilet! I didn't realize it was so common to do so actually, but I wouldn't fault someone for doing it every now and again! Just not every one!
-
I always didn until we had a blockage and was told not to, can't say I don't flush one time to time still
-
Never. I grew up with a septic system so my mom always wrapped hers and tossed in the trash. I did the same. I never knew anyone flushed tampons ever until this came up on the boards here.
-
I always have except for when I was studying in Greece. We couldn't even flush toilet paper there!
-
Always. But I've had like 3 periods in the last two years, so I haven't had to think about it much. I use cloth pads most of the time, so I just won't bother with tampons from now on, because throwing them in the trash grosses me out. (Which makes no sense since I use cloth pads, but it just bothers me!)
-
Never!!! I don't think I realized people flushed them until I was in my 20's!
The signs in bathrooms asking not to flush tamping definitely includes the used portion.
-
For people icked out about throwing them away, have you considered wrapping them in a sheet of newsprint or like a piece of junk mail? No need to put them in the trash can uncovered.
Also, those who always flush them, what do you do when you're somewhere where you're not supposed to? Or traveling somewhere without flush toilets? I'm really curious!
-
I dont 99.99% of the time. But, if one slips out of my hand I'm certainly not fishing it out of the toilet.
What's been eye opening today is that there are some tampons with instructions advising it's okay to flush. I started using Tampax then OB for a short time and back to Tampax. The instructions for Tampax say do not flush. That coupled with my dad's early warning has always made me a non-flusher.
ETA: I wrap mine up in extra TP, and toss in the lined bathroom trash can. During my cycle I empty the trash can more often.
-
I did not know people flushed theirs until just now. I am honestly shocked. I've always lived in older homes and you just don't flush anything but TP and waste. It doesn't seem like a big deal to me to throw them out.
-
I always flush unless there's a sign that says not to.
-
I always wrap the used tampon in lots of TP, and throw it out. For the applicator, I put it pack in the plastic wrapper, and wrap that in TP.
-
I've always flushed them and honestly probably always will. I just found out a couple of years ago that you're not supposed to..
-
Surprised people would continue even if it could result in large plumbing bills. I think it's grosser thinking about toilets overflowing all over your house then wrapping up a tampon in toilet paper.
-
@MoonMoon: I don't get it either. Just wrap it in toilet paper and put in trash can next to toilet.
-
@BandDmommy: that's true, I live in an older house and I hope never to face that particular problem...
-
@MoonMoon: Our rental property built in 1980s had issue where original owner had been flushing tampons and we ended up with large plumbing bill when we first moved in and discovered it.
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
61 comments