Disposable disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, and even so‑called “flushable” wipes can cause serious problems for the sewer system and for your pipes because the wipes do not break down easily, or at all, once they are flushed. Paper products other than toilet paper (such as paper towels) also do not break down once in the sewer line. No matter what the label says, do not flush them, trash them instead.

When wipes and other materials interact with food grease or invasive roots in the sewer, they bind together, causing blockages and creating the potential for overflows. Sewer backups can be both messy and costly to clean up.