Tampons are commonly used by women around the world during menstruation. It helps to catch fluids and keeps them hygienic while lowering the chance of any infection.
But being hygienic goes beyond tampon usage; it is essential to get rid of them properly after use.
The cliché about people dumping tampons down the toilet is undoubtedly familiar to everyone. Such a disposal method is, however, unsanitary. In actuality, there are a number of simple ways to get rid of tampons without using the toilet.
Why Should Tampons Not Be Flushed?
Because of the smell, many individuals have undoubtedly flushed tampons. Or maybe they’d like to avoid touching the used tampon.
Tampons are simple to flush down the toilet, but doing so is not safe for your sewage system. It is also not beneficial to others.
The problem is this: Tampons are fluffy, yet unlike toilet paper, they do not simply dissolve in water. Toilet paper is specially crafted to dissolve in water and not block your toilet.
Tampons are solid. So, if they were to become stuck, repairing your toilet would take a lot of time (and maybe money). Not to mention the time and money it would take your neighborhood water treatment facility to repair the damage.
However, household items like bleach are safe to flush down the toilet. But, there are measures you need to take to dispose of bleach properly.
How to Safely Dispose of Tampons
Tampons are often disposed of in the same manner as pads. The used tampon is simply wrapped in toilet paper and thrown in the garbage. Here are simple ways you can efficiently handle and dispose of tampons wherever the need arises.
Getting Rid of Tampons at Home
Your home is the most convenient place to remove and dispose of your used tampons. Most importantly, you can control almost everything used for disposal. Simply follow these steps.
Get a Trash Can Specifically for Sanitary Napkins.
During your monthly cycle, you could use a lot of tampons. Or maybe you’d prefer it if nobody saw them out in the open.
If so, you might want to acquire a trash bin just for tampons. You may get a tiny one with a lid to place in your bathroom. Or perhaps you have enough room in your bathroom cabinet to store it there.
Whichever size you prefer, you can get trash cans with a lid and sensor from the iTouchless Store on Amazon.
Keep in mind that tampons may smell if left outside for too long. If you smell anything, throw the tampons away right away. Unless absolutely necessary, don’t let the tampons sit in the garbage for more than a day or two.
Wrap a Tampon in Toilet Paper.
Take some toilet paper and then roll it around the tampon. By doing this, you’ll stop the blood from spilling everywhere and keep your hands from coming into contact with the fluid on the tampon.
The tampon will be more concealed and discreet if it is wrapped in toilet paper. You may try to conceal the tampon by doing this.
Put it in the Trash
Make sure the tampon is disposed of in the trash. You may keep the waste to a minimum and dispose of the tampon covertly by throwing it away immediately as you pull it out.
Disposing of Tampons Away from Home
There are situations where you might need to dispose of your tampon in a public restroom or when you go to a friend’s house for a sleepover. Even though these places are not as convenient as your home, there are ways you can dispose of the tampons properly.
Begin by Covering the Tampon with Toilet Paper.
By doing this, you’ll avoid getting blood on your hands and stop the tampon’s blood from spilling all over the floor, the toilet, or the trash. If you wish to dispose of the tampon discreetly when visiting a friend’s home, you could choose to wrap it in toilet paper numerous times.
Use the Garbage Can in the Public Restroom.
In public restrooms, there is usually a small metal container next to the toilet that you can open and place the used tampon in.It might be labeled “sanitary napkins only” or “tampons only.”
Once the tampon has been placed, you should secure the metal bin’s lid. Cleaning employees frequently empty these garbage containers once every day.
Most women’s restroom stalls often have a tiny metal container on the wall. It might be labeled “sanitary napkins only” or “tampons only.” To make cleanup and collection simpler, they are lined with special paper.
Simply wrap the old tampon in toilet tissue like you would at home if you needed to get rid of one. To be extra discreet and polite, you may have to wrap the tampon in an extra layer of toilet paper.
Again, place the tampon in the trash rather than flushing it down the toilet. Lift the lid, insert the tampon, and then snap the flap shut. As simple as that.
You don’t have to worry if there is no liner on the container. It probably means the cleaning staff has equipment for properly disposing of human waste without being harmed.
Dump the Tampon in the Trash at Your Friend’s Place
If you need to get rid of your tampon while spending time with friends or having a sleepover at their house, put it in their garbage. Never flush anything down the toilet since doing so might cause a blockage.
Even if the tampon is wrapped in toilet paper, you shouldn’t put it in your bag or pocket. For starters, that is unhygienic, and the stench could contaminate your other personal items. You don’t want to discover a stinky tampon later in your purse or pocket since tampons can have a strong smell from the blood and menstrual material on them.
Make sure your tampons are wrapped in toilet paper and discard them right away rather than keeping them for a long time.
How to Remove Tampons Properly for Disposal
Sit on the Toilet
Sitting on the toilet makes it simpler to take out the tampon. You can access the tampon while seated and with your legs apart. Additionally, it will enable you to position your fingers so that the tampon slides out with ease.
Additionally, sitting on the toilet will guarantee that any blood spilled when you remove the tampon will fall into the toilet. With less blood on the floor or in your underpants, there will be less mess.
Locate the String that is Fastened to the Tampon.
There should be a white thread hanging off the end of your tampon. The string going out of your vagina should be visible if you look between your legs.
If there is no string protruding from your vagina, it may have become lodged there throughout the day. When you work out, the string frequently breaks or becomes knotted. You might need to feel around the opening of the vagina with your fingertips to find the string.
Remove the Tampon by Gently Pulling the Cord.
Once you’ve found the thread, hold it gently with your two fingers. The tampon can then be removed from your vagina by slowly pulling on the string. With a light pull, it should come out fairly quickly.
You might need to consult a doctor if your tampon won’t come off or seems to be stuck. Tampons can sometimes become stuck if they are used for an extended period of time, if the string gets tangled in your vagina, or if you unintentionally engage in sexual activity while wearing one. A doctor should remove the tampon as quickly as possible because if you leave it in, you run the danger of suffering toxic shock syndrome.
Frequently Asked Questions for Tampon Disposal
What Should I Do If the Bathroom Has No Tampon Receptacle?
If you can’t find a tampon dispenser in your restroom cubicle, don’t worry. As needed, wrap the tampon with toilet paper. Clean up your stall while being careful not to knock the tampon’s packaging on the ground.
Throw the tampon in the restroom trash after you are outside the stall. Don’t worry too much if someone else sees the tampon. The other women in the restroom are sure to have encountered a similar circumstance in the past.
How Can I Dispose of a Tampon in an Emergency?
It is helpful to have an emergency plastic or paper bag on hand in the same manner that some women keep an extra tampon on hand. Tampons can be safely stored in these bags separate from your personal belongings.
Ensure your used tampons don’t touch any of your other personal items, especially if you’re going camping or won’t have easy access to a trash can. You can actually get disposable tampon bags to store your used tampons in.
Some tampon brands, as we previously stated, incorporate these with their tampons. Additionally, online retailers like Amazon sell them in large quantities. They come in tiny bags that you can easily tuck away in your purse with your backup tampons.
The fact that they are opaque and keep scents inside once you close them is their best feature. Depending on your inclination, you can use these bags for either pads or tampons.
You don’t need to worry about getting toilet tissue on hand when using these bags. You also don’t need to bother about the toilet paper getting unwrapped either, because several brands include tape sealing.
Can Tampon Applicators Be Recycled?
Regrettably, no. Sadly, blood, which is regarded as human waste, has frequently been on tampon applicators.
Tampon applicators cannot be recycled because of the contamination of the plastic.
Try using organic tampons if you want to make a more environmentally conscious choice. These tampons take around six months to break down, so they won’t remain in a landfill for generations.
Bottom Line
Simply wrapping tampons in toilet paper and throwing them away is the most ethical way to get rid of them.
Never dispose of them in the toilet and do not keep used tampons together with your personal belongings.
A garbage can full of tampons should always be disposed of within a day or two.
If you take pain relievers during menstruation, it is vital to know the proper way to dispose of medication when they expire.
Finally, disposable tampon bags could be your traveling best friend.
