What not to flush

Dead cats, pizzas, rubber ducks, handbags and a spear are among the items that people have attempted to flush down the toilet, according to research.

Other items discovered in toilet bowls include nappies, watches, sandwiches, vapes, sex toys, high-denomination bank notes, a wig and an entire rotisserie chicken.

The findings are based on survey responses by more than 50 hygiene technicians.

Additional research, of over 1,000 consumers, found that over a quarter (26%) admitted to flushing paper towels, nail clippings (21%), hair cuttings (16%), and face wipes (9%).

Other items being put down toilets include baby/wet wipes (8%), cigarettes (7%), chewing gum (7%), deceased pet fish (6%), contact lenses (3%), food wrappers (2%) and nappies (1%).

The findings also show that 3% of respondents admitting to flushing cooking oil, fat or grease.

More than a third of (35%) claimed they avoid putting anything problematic down the toilet, which researchers said indicate that awareness campaigns have some impact.

The research was commissioned by the company Initial Hygiene.