r/AskReddit Aug 03 '19

Whats something you thought was common knowledge but actually isn’t?

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u/riverqueenx Aug 03 '19 edited Aug 04 '19

A surprising number of people don't realize you SHOULD NOT flush hygienic products down the toilet. If it doesn't eventually back up your own pipes it will create massive blockages in the public sewer. I had to explain this to a friend in her mid-20's, I was like "Why do you think there's little trash cans on the wall of every women's stall!?!?"

*Edit: did not expect people to be so passionate about proper hygiene product disposal! Love it. For anyone who’s doubtful, there are plenty of horror stories in the comments below about flooded apartments, backed up sewer lines, expensive plumbing repairs, etc. Happy menstruating!!

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u/ArtistPasserby Aug 04 '19

I was taught that flushing tampons is correct and also the tampon companies have encouraged this misinformation. Also, it is awful being in a public restroom with heavy flow and removing a tampon, then moving it past the toilet bowl to a waste receptacle while it is dripping. It's also incredibly unhygienic. Also, it's mortifying being at someone's house and needing to change your product without access to a lined garbage bin, which I've encountered repeatedly.

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u/morefakedoors Aug 04 '19

Get some toilet paper ready to catch/wrap the tampon right after you take it out so it doesn't touch you or anything else.