We all know that the secret to keeping your toilet in working condition is to restrict flushing to the three P’s: pee, poo and paper. Experts have now revealed another no-no when it comes to flushing: nail clippings. While many people trim their nails over the toilet, clippings are just as bad as flushing dead goldfish, wet wipes, and a host of other things that represent the majority of clogs. You wouldn’t think something as tiny as nail clippings would cause a problem, but experts explained that they are primarily made of keratin, which is both tough and fibrous. Although nail clippings are biodegradable, they decompose very slowly and will take years, meaning they create a solid mass as they travel down pipework and into the sewer system. Plumbing companies say that nail clippings (35%) top the list of most common items people mistakenly think they can flush, followed by paper towels (34%), hair cuttings (34%) and deceased gold fish (26%). So, the best thing you can do is clip your nails over a trash can and make sure they go out with the trash.
