The Saying “Everything But The Kitchen Sink” Is Popular For A Reason: Here Are All The Things You Should Never Wash Down The Drain To Avoid A Pricey Plumbing Bill
When you’re doing the dishes for what feels like the millionth time, it can be tempting to throw all the food scraps down the drain to save yourself some trouble.
However, this can actually give you more work to deal with later on. If you’re not careful, you might end up with a hefty plumbing bill.
Some things should never be washed down the sink. It’s worth taking the extra few seconds to deposit the scraps into your trash can. Here are some items you should always refrain from throwing down the drain.
Grease And Oil
Have you ever seen people pour bacon grease or the fat from ground meat into a container and wonder why they’re doing that? It’s because pouring grease down the drain can result in some major clogging.
The oil will solidify as it cools and stick to the insides of your pipes. Not only will this cause clogs, but the grease can also create stinky odors that emanate from the drain. So, to avoid all that trouble, pour any leftover oil into an old container, let the fat harden, and dispose of it in the trash.
Coffee Grounds
I think it’s safe to say that most people have been guilty of dumping coffee grounds into their kitchen sink at some point in their lives. A common misconception is that since the grounds are such tiny pieces, they can’t cause much damage to the pipes.
However, coffee grounds in your drain can be a real problem. They can clump together, which makes them hard to dissolve. Over time, they will become a pesky obstruction that will require the help of a professional to remove. Toss coffee grounds in the trash or use them to fertilize your garden.
dikushin – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
Rice And Pasta
If the remnants of your rice or pasta dinner make it down the drain, they can lead to significant stoppages. Like coffee grounds, they might clump together and stick to the walls of your pipes.
Even if they’re ground up, they will turn into a thick, starchy paste that will bring trouble for your pipes. That’s why it’s best to throw any leftovers in the trash.
Eggshells
You might think eggshells won’t pose any harm to your drain due to their brittle and flimsy nature, but unfortunately, you would be wrong. Eggshells like to cling to surfaces when wet, so they can get stuck in pipes, contributing to eventual blockages.
Their sharp edges can also catch other items going down the drain after them. If you throw rice and oil down the drain, along with eggshells, that’s just a recipe for disaster.
Fibrous Vegetables
Vegetables that are high in fiber tend to be very stringy, which means they won’t break down very well. Celery, potato peels, onion skins, artichokes, carrot shavings, corn, and asparagus bits should all go straight to the trash. Don’t even think about putting them down the drain!
Items That Aren’t Food
Keep non-food items, such as plastic, metal, glass, chemicals, or extra paint from a DIY project, away from your drain. Even products labeled as “flushable,” like wipes or cat litter, should not be put into your pipes. These so-called “flushable” items are among the top culprits for drainage issues.
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