8 Everyday Items You Should Never Pour Down The Drain, According To Plumbers
We all do it sometimes: pouring something down the sink because it feels easier than dealing with it another way. Out of sight, out of mind, right? But the truth is, not everything should go down the drain. Plumbers say most clogs and nasty smells start with when people think “it’s just a bit” and pour something risky. The good news is that avoiding trouble isn’t hard. Here are eight things that you should never pour down the drain.
Cooking Grease
It might pour like a liquid, but grease turns into a sticky mess the second it cools. It coats your pipes and catches bits of food, creating thick blockages that no amount of hot water can melt. Instead, pour grease into an old can or jar, let it harden in the freezer, and toss it in the trash. Your drains will thank you.
Coffee Grounds
They seem harmless enough: tiny, fine, and easy to rinse away. But once they get in your pipes, coffee grounds clump together and become a stubborn sludge. Even garbage disposals can’t break them down completely. Compost your grounds or throw them in the trash instead. Ironically, those rich, earthy grounds that smell so good in the morning can make your kitchen smell awful once they hit the drain.
Eggshells
Many people think eggshells “sharpen” garbage disposal blades, but that’s a myth. The shell membranes wrap around the blades, and the tiny pieces can settle in the pipes, mixing with grease and other food to form clogs. It’s one of those things that sounds clever but ends up backfiring. Toss them in the trash or, better yet, your garden compost pile instead.
Flour and Dough
Ever tried to wash flour off your hands? It turns into glue. Now imagine that happening inside your pipes. When flour or dough goes down the drain, it mixes with water, expands, and sticks to everything it touches. That gummy buildup can cause slow drains or full blockages over time. Scrape leftovers into the trash before rinsing dishes to keep things moving freely.
Pasta and Rice
These innocent little foods swell up when wet, even after they’ve been cooked. Once they hit your pipes, they expand and create sticky clumps that trap grease and other debris. Over time, it’s like concrete in your plumbing. Always scrape leftover pasta and rice into the garbage before washing dishes. You’ll avoid getting a slow-draining sink that never seems to clear completely.
Paint or Cleaning Products
Whether it’s leftover wall paint or harsh cleaners, chemicals can damage both your pipes and the environment. Paint hardens as it dries, coating the inside of your drain, while cleaners can react with other substances in your pipes and release fumes. Always check local chemical disposal rules because many cities have drop-off sites for paint and chemicals. It takes a few extra minutes, but it’s worth it.
Medications
Flushing old pills or liquid medicine might feel like a safe way to get rid of controlled substances, but it’s not. Water treatment plants can’t filter out all pharmaceuticals, which means they end up in rivers and groundwater. Instead, take them to a pharmacy that accepts medication drop-offs. It’s one of those small things that helps protect everyone’s water, including your own.
Milk or Cream
It sounds strange, but dairy products can cause real issues for your plumbing. As they break down, they use up oxygen in the water system, which can harm aquatic life. Plus, large amounts of fat in cream can stick to pipes, leading to buildup over time. Pouring spoiled milk down the drain seems harmless, but it’s better to pour it into a sealed container and toss it instead.
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Your drain isn’t a black hole that makes things disappear, it’s a constantly-working system that needs a bit of care. With just a little extra thought before you pour, you can prevent clogs, save money, and keep your plumbing healthy for years to come. Next time you’re tempted to dump something “just this once,” pause. A few seconds of research can save you a world of trouble later.
Bliss Donahue-Power
