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Original poster

Am I the only one who thought tampons were flushable?!

321 replies

sunseaandme · 09/05/2023 16:23

I'm 32, and only recently have I discovered tampons aren't flushable. I always thought they were, I can't remember where this thought came from, I assume my mum told me they were when I started my period, but that pads were obviously not flushable. I feel so guilty for flushing them all this time (obviously I won't do it anymore!). Am I the only one?? I realise I probably sound like an idiot as it probably says on the packet not to flush them but I never thought to check 🙈

OP posts:
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6
flympssta · 09/05/2023 16:26

What?!? I've always thought this too 🙈🙈🙈

NameChangeSorryNotSorry · 09/05/2023 16:26

I always wondered what maniacs were flushing tampons when they talked about them being part of those huge fatburgs in the sewers. At least you know now and can change your habits. I’d aim for plastic free periods altogether- moon cup, washable pads? Make amends for years of flushing!

Bimbom · 09/05/2023 16:27

It was actually on MN a few years ago that I learnt you're not supposed to. I'd stopped using them before that anyway but am sorry to say I flushed them for a long time not realising.

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Blondey2023 · 09/05/2023 16:28

I didn't know either until last year! They should make it clearer on the packaging or something! I flushed mine for years 🙈

Soapboxqueen · 09/05/2023 16:29

They were marketed as flushable years ago so don't feel too bad.

LividHouse · 09/05/2023 16:29

I had no idea until mumsnet told me, years after I’d switched to mooncup.

God knows how our plumbing held up in the 90s.

Mushroo · 09/05/2023 16:29

Yeh I didn’t know either. I swear it used to say on the packet that they are flushable. (Pre smart phones I was an avid reader of any materials that were to hand on the loo 😂).

BakedTattie · 09/05/2023 16:30

I genuinely can’t understand how anybody could think it’s ok to flush anything like a tampon down the loo. Surely it’s common sense?

Spcd · 09/05/2023 16:30

I'm a few years older than you and I'm sure we were told this at school as part of our 'periods talk'. I only learned differently when I was in my early twenties and teaching abroad and the kids there were told not to flush them so I checked the UK advice too (though I didn't get on with tampons when I was younger so had never used them regularly before this time).

PrincessHoneysuckle · 09/05/2023 16:31

I flush them but bin the applicators.Had no idea tbh.

shivermetimbers77 · 09/05/2023 16:31

I distinctly remember being told that they were flushable when I first started
my periods in the 90s so it’s not just you OP! I wish someone would invent biodegradable tampons (ones that didn’t biodegrade Inside you though, obvs)

iusedtobeasize8 · 09/05/2023 16:32

I always used to flush them until I moved to a house with no mains drainage and a septic tank. I've since moved but only put pee, poo and paper down the toilet.

not4profit · 09/05/2023 16:33

Here's the photographic evidence

Am I the only one who thought tampons were flushable?!
Pixiedust1234 · 09/05/2023 16:33

BakedTattie · 09/05/2023 16:30

I genuinely can’t understand how anybody could think it’s ok to flush anything like a tampon down the loo. Surely it’s common sense?

Because it was marketed as flushable. Its the same reason as to why so many people put "flushable" wipes down th toilet at the moment. Blame the sanitary companies (and the government departments and water companies for not challenging those companies).

not4profit · 09/05/2023 16:33

I spent a good 30 years flushing them I'm afraid Confused

Bimbom · 09/05/2023 16:35

not4profit · 09/05/2023 16:33

Here's the photographic evidence

Thank you. I started mine in the 90s and honestly when I read on here that you weren't supposed to flush them couldn't understand how I could've got it wrong for so long. I feel vindicated now

CwmYoy · 09/05/2023 16:36

I flushed them and the applicators. Also pads back in the day.

dudsville · 09/05/2023 16:36

I flushed from the late 80s until 2010, had no idea. Then i joined mn went ttc and never went back to them after the pregnancies but had since learned they weren't meant to be flushed.

not4profit · 09/05/2023 16:36

I'm pretty sure sanitary towels were also marketed as flushable back then - but didn't use those myself after the first few periods.

LaurieFairyCake · 09/05/2023 16:37

Also flushed them for 30 years

Only for the last 5 did I throw them in the bin instead

Tidsleytiddy · 09/05/2023 16:37

not4profit · 09/05/2023 16:33

I spent a good 30 years flushing them I'm afraid Confused

Me too

dementedpixie · 09/05/2023 16:39

I flushed them in the past as they were marketed as flushable as were pads. Then things changed and you were told not to flush and the packaging also says to bin them rather than flushing them. I have not flushed them in years.

I wrap in toilet roll and bin. Think dd uses the little disposal bags for hers.

MondayYogurt · 09/05/2023 16:39

It’s time for a public campaign.

FancyCurtains · 09/05/2023 16:39

I would be interested to know how others dispose of them. I remember using single use plastic sanitary bags for disposing this stuff when I was younger but it seems awful to wrap this stuff in plastic every time it needs to go in the bin. Also, doesn’t it make the bin smell?

LBFseBrom · 09/05/2023 16:40

I always thought they were flushable too, so apparently did the King at one time (when he was Prince of Wales).