By now, you’re probably aware of the toilet paper hoarding that’s been going as part of #QuarantineLife during the COVID-19 outbreak.

People are desperate for it. Stores are out of it. All of a sudden, toilet paper has become a hot commodity while folks are stuck at home for weeks on end. Tensions are running high about what to do if the toilet paper stock runs out.

While many memes have poked fun at what alternatives to toilet paper could be used in the event of a shortage, the science behind what goes down the drain is not as lighthearted a topic to consider.

That’s because toilet paper was designed to break down in water over time, making it safe for sewers. However, every day many materials get put in the pipes that should not be there, including a surprising one—flushable wipes.