Can You Flush Condoms?

Can you flush condoms? God, no! It’s not illegal to actually flush them but…Condoms should end up in trash cans, not your water supply. Here’s why.

What should you do with a used condom (male or female)? Throw it in a trash can or flush it down the toilet? Can you flush condoms at all? Sure thing, the very idea of someone seeing a used condom in the trash is not quite pleasant, yet… Flushing condoms is one of the worst ideas. Baby wipes, diapers, and tampons are just a few things you should never ever be flushed (here’s why). Today, we are talking about why flushing condoms is such a bad idea, how to safely dispose of a condom if there is no bin, and more.

Can You Flush Condoms?

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You can, but doing so is not advisable. Flushing condoms is bad not only for your toilet but for the environment as well. Most condoms are made of latex, made of natural rubber [1], which doesn’t necessarily mean they are biodegradable. In fact, latex condoms mostly contain certain chemicals that should extend their shelf life and prevent them from breaking down easily during sexual intercourse. However, this prevents them from breaking down when flushed as well.

If latex condoms were made of natural rubber only, they would be biodegradable. Yet, knowing they are made using both natural rubber, synthetic latex, and chemicals, latex condoms, it’s safe to say they are not biodegradable.

According to statistics [2],  more than 450 million condoms are sold in the USA year after year. More than half of these condoms are not disposed of properly! That means up to 225 million condoms may get up in the ocean eventually, but there’s something even more gross about flushing condoms.

Once condoms get flushed down the toilet, they end up in the ocean and that’s the whole story? Absolutely not! According to estimates, it takes around 30 years for a condom to be broken down when in this type of environment. And, condoms that end up in the ocean are most likely to be eaten by sea creatures, which is why more and more fish is full of toxic materials and microplastic, and which is why more and more people are sick. Shortly said, if we happen to eat some of these fishes full of heavy metals, we will also endanger our health as well.

Or, it could happen that you swim past a used condom someone flushed, and, you’ll admit – that is disgusting. If you don’t want anyone to swim past a condom you flushed, stop doing that for Godness sake!

The only worst thing than latex condoms is – polyurethane condoms that are mostly made of plastic. They even contain petroleum! These take even longer to break down in the water and should be always thrown away in a bin.

Even natural lambskin condoms shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet. These condoms are as effective as latex and polyester condoms (even though they are made of natural animal products), and although biodegradable, still take a while to break down (at least a couple of months).

Are Trojan Condoms Flushable?

Trojan condoms are either made of latex or polyurethane and thus, aren’t flushable. This rule applies to all condoms, no matter the brand.

Can Condoms Come Back Up Toilet?

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Well, although condoms can clog toilets, it is unlikely they will come back up. However, we are not saying it is impossible. Condoms won’t dissolve in your sewer system and can wreak havoc once they get into your septic tank.

If you constantly flush condoms, a fatberg will form somewhere in your sewage system, which could be a chance for some of them to come back up once a major clog occurs. When flushed, condoms combine with hair, grease, etcetera and the thing just gets worse.

If this happens, you will have to contact a plumber to come and unclog your toilet. Not only does this kind of repair will cost you but you will probably be ashamed once the plumber starts pulling out used condoms. Just in case you are trying to be discreet, it is good to know a used condom is less likely to be found in the crash than in your sewer system.

However, we might have a couple of tricks up our sleeve you can try if you want to unclog your toilet after you have accidentally flushed a condom.

How to Unclog Toilet Clogged By Condoms?

1. Use a Plunger

We’ve already explained condoms can’t break down easily. That’s why popular drain cleaner techniques won’t do much if a condom caused a clog somewhere in your plumbing system. However, a plunger may come to the rescue. If possible, use a plunger with as thick a rubber cap as possible.

Place the plunger in the bowl so it creates a nice seal, then start pushing and pulling it several times in a row. Either you will pull out the condom (if it hasn’t gone too far) or you will be able to flush your toilet normally again.

2. Use a Plumbing Snake

A plumbing snake is a flexible item that can go deep down your toilet and possibly remove any obstruction. Push the plumbing snake as far as you can down the toilet, then start moving it left and right, up and down, or go in circular motions. Do this for about 5 minutes, then flush the toilet. Alternatively, you can use a wire coat hanger instead of a plumbing snake.

Is It Illegal to Flush Condoms?

No, flushing condoms is not illegal. Still, just because something is not illegal, it doesn’t mean we should do it. You shouldn’t flush condoms if you want to prevent getting your or someone else’s plumbing system blocked and secondly, because we all should be more environmentally conscious.

How do You Dispose of Condoms?

First of all, remove the condom the right way. Make sure not to spill any fluids from it and cause a mess around the place. Once you’ve taken it off, take the condom and tie it the same way you would tie a balloon. This will prevent semen from spilling and prevent odors from spreading.

Then, take a tissue, wrap the condom in it, throw it away, then wash your hands. The whole process will last no more than a minute! Oh, and, don’t worry – there’s very little chance someone will find your used condom in the trash.

If you are at a place where there is no trash can, wrap the condom in a tissue or two, ideally use a polybag, and wait until you find one to dispose of it. Do not throw used condoms around parks, lakes, beaches, or anywhere except in the trash box.

Remember that most condoms can’t and shouldn’t be reused [3] and should be thrown in the bin right after use.

Fun fact: Internal condoms (for females) can be reused up to 8 times if properly washed, dried, and lubricated. This was proven by a study [4] conducted back in 2001 in South Africa.

Keep in mind you shouldn’t flush condoms in public toilets, hotels, or any other place. It is your responsibility to properly dispose of a condom no matter where you are.

Summary

Condoms should be used for several reasons – to prevent unwanted pregnancy and protect you and your partner from getting a sexually transmitted disease. However, that doesn’t mean you should get rid of the thing as soon as possible, without any thinking, after you’ve reached the climax. Flushing condoms can causes clogs within your plumbing system and threaten wildlife.

So, can you flush condoms?

We’ll all agree – no, regardless of the material it is made of. Wrap the condom in toilet paper, throw it in a bin and you’ll be good to go.