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

[sunseaandme]

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 🙈

Please can you find any signs / posters / leaflets/ links anything circa 1970 - 1985 ish that said dont flush them 🤔🙄

I’m gobsmacked that any one could flush a tampon down a loo - what did you all think of those signs which are pretty much in every single public facility saying “please don’t flush anything except lavatory paper “ let alone all the clearly marked sanitary bins???

I started my period in 1995. I was always taught that tampons were not flushable and have never flushed them.

Also, virtually every single public toilet has a sign saying not to throw tampons down the toilet and provides a sanitary bin for use.

I am genuinely astounded how women don't know this. Surely after the 100th public toilet tells you that nobody is to flush towels and tampons down the loo, the message gets across?

@Hippyhippybake cross post!

I haven't used tampons in about 20 years, but I definitely remember being taught they were flushable (and therefore flushing them) in the early 90s. Can't remember when I found out they're not but it may well have been Mumsnet!

Here's the photographic evidence

A family friend lives on the seafront in Argyle. There are sometimes shoals of plastic applicators several inches deep washed up on the shore.

I thought so too but I've never used them.

Literally says it on the packet and they also have icons depicting not to flush also.

Same here but I probably stopped early 2000s.

Did you neglect to read anything after 1985?

Was just going to say that. I’m the same age.

I'm 42 and this thread is how I have just discovered that they are not flushable! Like others have said I am sure that they used to be!!! I hardly use them anyway but will put in the bin from now on 😇

I always thought it was the applicators that were flushable, not the tampons. They unroll and come apart in water. So “flushable applicator” tampons.

I definitely remember pads being marketed as rippable and flushable too, but I never did because my mum didn't. They weren't as plasticky in the 90s, they were thicker and more like cotton wool inside with no wicking effect.

I was today years old when I found this out... whoops! 😳

(I'm 41, so started my period in the early 90s.)

Its not always possible to dispose of ethically Sometimes you just have to pull and drop. Sorry

Back in the 80s/90s, my Mother taught me to tear up pads and flush

I was taught they were flushable when I started in the late 80s- they were marketed as flushable and the instructions told you to flush. Only learnt you shouldn't on mumsnet about 5 years ago. I went back to look at the packet then and there was one tiny do not flush sign on it and then another one, again tiny, on the instructions (and I had obviously not been reading the instructions for a product I'd been using for about 25 years at that point) So it was not exactly made obvious on the packaging that you should not flush.

I can't believe how so many of you never wondered what the sanitary bins in every single cubicle were for!!

I was told to put tampons down loo and a cardboard applicator or a pad in the bin. That is what I did, always. Past menopause now so no more periods thank goodness.

Sadly I imagine you aren't the only one OP.

I don't use them and never have but I'd imagine the number of people who find out that you aren't supposed to flush them and carry on is pretty high.

I wrap it in loo paper and put it in the bathroom bin. Every couple of days I empty that bin.

I was told the tampon and the cardboard applicator are flushable and the plastic packing isn't obviously

Sanitary towels