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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask...where do you put your used tampons at home?

475 replies

YellowCat3 · 07/04/2019 15:27

Okay, I'll fess up...for years I've flushed them [blush. I've never thought too much about the enivronmental impact as I thought it was the same as loo roll, but have recently become aware that I definitely need to stop.

But I don't like the thought of them lingering around the house. We don't have a bin in the bathroom as it seems disgusting somehow, and our only bin is in the kitchen. It seems beyond skanky to put soiled tampons in there. I just wondered what other women do - do you put them straight in the bins outside, or are you happy to have bloody tampons in the bins inside for days? Not sure if I am being OCD about this (probably), but feel puzzled as to the best way to dispose of them?

OP posts:
Smoggle · 07/04/2019 22:51

I never really empty mine while away from home, but you could just give it a wipe with a tissue or take a bottle of water with you to rinse.

IchibanLipstickForMen · 07/04/2019 22:52

Why do people think its better to wrap it in a plastic bag than flush it? As if that's somehow better for the environment? Both ways are wrong Hmm

Smoggle · 07/04/2019 22:53

Putting it in a bin bag isn't going to clog any pipes.

MsTSwift · 07/04/2019 22:54

Only 1 day a month heavy enough to need to change outside house I take bottle of water into loo and swill everything out with that

MissGuernsey · 07/04/2019 22:56

Flush down the lav.

I don't drive, walk everywhere, recycle as much as possible and haven't flown in 12 years. So no qualms about flushing them! I do enough for the environment as it is.

cantwait2bfree · 07/04/2019 22:57

Great post!Don’t we learn everyday!i’ve always flushed them

Chickenwing · 07/04/2019 22:57

I've always flushed them, didnt realise you weren't supposed to.

TildaKauskumholm · 07/04/2019 22:58

I am amazed and dismayed that grown women in this country, are still flushing tampons. Let me guess, you also flush nappies, wipes, cotton buds? Thank fuck I am not your neighbour.

TheGoogleMum · 07/04/2019 23:03

Get a bathroom bin! I've had the crappy situation of being stuck staying over someone's house while on a period and they don't have a bathroom bin.... it's the worst. Get one with a lid and empty regularly while you are on and I'm sure it won't be too bad

Sparklingbrook · 07/04/2019 23:07

So many people think that they have flushed tampons forever and never had a blocked loo or pipes so it must be ok.
But the problems they cause are further along, causing other people to have blockages. How selfish is that? Angry

Frangipane · 07/04/2019 23:09

In days of yore I flushed them. Then we had a drainage problem (unrelated to the flushing of tampons) requiring several visits from dynarod type companies to unblock our drains. On one occasion, I saw what was removed from the drain and it included 10s of my tampons. I never flushed another tampon after that. I either wrapped them I toilet tissue and binned them, or, preferably, burned them in our multifuel stove.

By the way, going back to what I saw coming out of our drains: never pour fat down a sink either.

Bittern11 · 07/04/2019 23:12

Put them in bathroom bin, wrapped in loo roll.

Pls don’’t Flush, or wrap in bin bag!

YeOldeTrout · 07/04/2019 23:12

This is what happens to flushed tampons. Also what happens to flushed baby wipes, pads & cotton buds. It congeals with similar non-degradable materials into fabric masses, or worse, fatbergs, and has to be manually recovered. Also the fabric ruins pumps that cost tens of thousands ££. Flush & forget culture is very bad.

MissGuernsey · 07/04/2019 23:14

I am amazed and dismayed that grown women in this country, are still flushing tampons. Let me guess, you also flush nappies, wipes, cotton buds? Thank fuck I am not your neighbour.

I do not use wet wipes or cotton buds. Never had kids so ditto nappies. No intention of stopping. Do not judge me.

I think it is minging to use disposable nappies. My mum used cloth nappies when she had me in the 1970's. Folk that use them on their kids don't care about the planet.

Sparklingbrook · 07/04/2019 23:24

You don't care about the planet if you are flushing tampons either. Confused I am afraid anyone who confesses to still flushing tampons knowing the consequences will be judged.

myrtleWilson · 07/04/2019 23:36

oh but Sparkling, you're mistaken because MissGuernsey walks a bit so thats okay...

Sparklingbrook · 07/04/2019 23:38

Ah, right myrtle. That will help unblock the pipes and stop the sewers backing up then. Smile

myrtleWilson · 07/04/2019 23:40

atta girl Sparkling Grin

Sparklingbrook · 07/04/2019 23:40
Grin
IncrediblySadToo · 08/04/2019 00:14

Do not judge me

You don’t get to make that call.

MiniMum97 · 08/04/2019 00:20

Toilet roll in the bathroom bin too.

DoNotBlameMeIVotedRemain · 08/04/2019 00:24

We have a lidded bin in the bathroom so easy to just wrap in loo roll and put in there. Simple.

VanGoghsDog · 08/04/2019 00:28

As I said, it cost me £540 earlier this year to get the sewer unblocked, so feel I have paid to judge people who carry on this anti social behaviour!

MissGuernsey · 08/04/2019 00:48

SparklingBrook*
myrtleWilson

Typical mumsnetters. Pick out a phase. Cannot read the whole paragraph.

Do you drive? Take flights? Use disposable nappies? Most mumsnetters probably use disposables as they are too lazy to buy and use cloth. Cannot be arsed about the planet when it suits them!

You change your habits and I will change mine. Until then, flush it is.

MissGuernsey · 08/04/2019 00:52

Waiting for the inevitable 'My child has special needs so needs disposable nappies' or 'I have high levels of anxiety and cannot wash a shitty nappy'.