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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To flush tampons down the toilet?

243 replies

CluedoCat · 09/11/2018 19:58

Until very recently, I thought most women did this, and I didn't see it as much different to throwing a wad of loo roll down there. I know the box says you shouldn't, but I thought this way something said but never adhered to. However, I have recently learned it's really bad for the sweage system to do this, and the advice is to put used tampons in the bin?

The thought of putting bloodied tampons in the bin and keeping them in the house is gross to me - I'd rather just thrush it away and that's that. One of the many reasons I don't use towels is because the thought of them festering is disgusting to me.

AIBU to continue doing this, and am I apparently the only woman who does? I've never blocked the toilet or experienced any issues.

OP posts:
Iaimtomisbehave1 · 09/11/2018 21:03

I can't believe there are still people who think this is OK to do. How stupid do you need to be to not realielse the damage they cause. The cost of clearing the drains, the cost if clearing biological waste like this from beaches and waterways... It's a lot different from sending them to a controlled waste management facility via your bin.

I really despair sometimes... you really need to be told this?

Prometheus · 09/11/2018 21:03

All these snowflakes wasting their lives stressing about a bit of blood “festering” in their bin! Do you feel the same about raw meat in the bin or leftovers in the bin? Unless you only empty your bins once a month they ‘literally’ will not fester or decompose and you won’t be able to smell them until they’ve been there for a good few weeks!!!

sunshine1912 · 09/11/2018 21:04

How do people not know this? Where do you think the tampons end up? I've known this since I was about 11 ffs

ChiefClerkDrumknott · 09/11/2018 21:05

WTF is wrong with you? I’ve known that flushing tampons/pads is not a good idea since I started my periods 25 years ago. Please don’t do this, it will block up the sewage pipes etc. I’m quite shocked that some women think this ok

HungryForSnacks · 09/11/2018 21:08

I know the box says you shouldn't, but I thought this was something said but never adhered to.

Are you thick?

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 09/11/2018 21:10

2 or 3 sheets of toilet roll at a time? Really? I use loads more than that!

I put tampons in a nappy sack but I feel guilty about that. When I've used my current supply I'll look at biodegradable bags. There's no way I'm just wrapping them in toilet paper when the bins are only emptied fortnightly.

WhatelsecouldIbecalled · 09/11/2018 21:11

I get that you shouldn’t flush them but don’t understand how wrapping them in plastic bags is any better?!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 09/11/2018 21:11

BTW I'm 43 and was taught at school to flush tampons

OhFlipMama · 09/11/2018 21:11

I haven't used tampons for a few years, I have a cup. Somehow, when our drains blocked, there were loads of tampons in there. Our neighbours nearby are well over menopause age so I've NO idea how they got there. It wasn't pleasant.

Cookit · 09/11/2018 21:11

I’m really shocked that anyone would flush a tampon. Please, please stop.

Onlyjoinedforthisthread · 09/11/2018 21:14

Anyone condemning the OP but advocating wrapping them in plastic bags is a hypocrite.

starzig · 09/11/2018 21:16

Sparklypussycat. I thought that is where we got no.1 and no.2 from. 1 sheet for a pee, 2 for a poo. Lol.

Isthereeveranexcuse · 09/11/2018 21:17

Onlyjoined I disagree. I don't use any other plastic bags - my bin isn't even lined with a bag it goes straight to the wheelly.

I use approximately 7 nappy sacks a month when I am on my period - if I use a towel I wrap in the wrapper of the next one and put it in the bin that way.

No hypocrisy here. I used proper cloth nappies and proper cloth baby wipes which are far worse than an odd plastic bag for a tampon.

MarcieBluebell · 09/11/2018 21:19

Never flushed them. Don't treat it as someone else's problem. Very selfish.

saratustra · 09/11/2018 21:19

Well I'm 40 and it's the first time I read I shouldn't flush them. Of course I will change my behaviour but I had no idea and never thought twice about it, as assumed they were like "compact" loo roll. Otherwise I'm extremely cautious with the environment, I recycle etc.
My point is: for those calling the OP thick and selfish, wtf is wrong with you, people make mistakes. This thread is unbelievably rude.

Isthereeveranexcuse · 09/11/2018 21:20

argh my ipad ate words - not disposable ones, which are far worse ...

JacquesHammer · 09/11/2018 21:20

I wrap mine in loo roll.

Then empty the bin daily. I usually use bags that have come with catalogues in, or bread bags etc to collect them in the bin.

disconnecteddrifter · 09/11/2018 21:20

I did not know you shouldn't flush them. Won't from now on but why isn't this common knowledge?

PickAChew · 09/11/2018 21:22

Just get a decent, small, airtight bin and empty it daily.

dementedpixie · 09/11/2018 21:23

It is common knowledge not to flush. Look at the packaging for a start

soulrider · 09/11/2018 21:24

I can't understand how it's not common knowledge unless you go around with your eyes closed. It's on the packet and pretty much every public toilet and every workplace toilet I've ever been in have had signs stating do not flush too

ElideLochan · 09/11/2018 21:26

really?? you dont see anything wrong with this?

bellinisurge · 09/11/2018 21:26

Can't believe women DIDN'T know about this. I was taught it at Catholic school in the 80s.
Isn't it obvious?
I lived in an apartment bloc where some numpty did this. Blocked the whole water system.

ShannonRockallMalin · 09/11/2018 21:27

It would never have occurred to me to flush tampons, anymore than I would flush pads or nappies or anything else! My mum used to give me paper bags to put them in, and now I just wrap in toilet paper and bin them. I don’t line my bathroom bin with a plastic liner either, just use a couple of pieces of scrap paper at the bottom.

ViserionTheDragon · 09/11/2018 21:27

As PP said, put tampons in the bin and empty the bin daily. It's not hard, is it? Please stop flushing them down the loo.