Garlic in Toilet: Myth vs. Reality for Pest Repellent and Cleaning

• The idea of using garlic cloves in toilets to repel pests or freshen drains gained traction on social media, but plumbers advise against flushing food waste.
• Flushing garlic can increase the risk of blockages in older pipes or septic systems, as toilets and sewage systems are not designed for food waste.
• Garlic's strong scent, from volatile sulfur compounds, can temporarily mask odors but does not clean pipes or solve drainage issues.
• While garlic's bioactive molecules like allicin show antimicrobial effects in lab settings, these require higher concentrations than a single clove provides in a toilet.
• Garlic in the toilet does not magically clear clogs or disinfect plumbing; it's not a substitute for proper cleaning, maintenance, or pest control.

Why It Matters: Flushing garlic in toilets is a viral hack with no real benefits for pest control or cleaning and can cause plumbing issues.