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Every homeowner has likely disposed of something down the drain without a second thought. Many people harm their plumbing systems without knowing it. Leftover food, grease, household cleaners, and other waste can cause costly repairs later.
Assuming that drains can handle all kinds of waste is easy, but they actually only manage liquids. Even then, not all liquids, such as greases, fats, and oils, should go down the drain. To avoid plumbing problems, know what should never go down the drain. Common items include feminine hygiene products and cat litter.
Let’s explore the top 12 items you should never put down the drain, even if it seems harmless.
One of the biggest culprits behind blocked drains is the disposal of fats, oils, and grease, often referred to as FOG. While these substances may flow down the drain in liquid form, they solidify as they cool, sticking to the inner walls of your pipes. Over time, this buildup can cause blockages and overwhelm water treatment facilities. These blockages lead to sewer overflows and even “fatbergs” in larger drainage systems.
What to do instead: Pour fats, oils, and grease into a container, let them solidify, and then throw them in the trash.
Though they seem harmless, coffee grounds don’t dissolve in water and can accumulate over time. When combined with FOG, they can create a sludge-like substance that clogs your pipes.
What to do instead: Compost coffee grounds or throw them in the trash. They are excellent for your garden as they enrich the soil.
Eggshells might seem like they would easily break down in a garbage disposal, but they can actually wreak havoc. The disposal blades can grind the shells into tiny, sharp pieces, and the inner membrane of the shell may wrap around the disposal’s components. Once in your pipes, eggshell fragments stick to other waste materials, forming a blockage.
What to do instead: Compost eggshells or discard them in the trash.
Pasta and rice expand when they absorb water, which means even a small amount can swell and clog your pipes. The starchy residue also sticks to your pipes, slowing the flow of water and leading to more blockages over time.
What to do instead: Use a sink strainer to catch pasta and rice, then throw them in the trash.
Ever notice how flour becomes a sticky, dough-like paste when mixed with water? That same sticky paste can coat the inside of your pipes, restricting water flow and leading to clogs. This is particularly problematic if flour mixes with other substances like oil, creating a thick sludge.
What to do instead: Dispose of excess flour in the trash instead of rinsing it down the kitchen sink.
Forgetting about the little stickers on your fruits and vegetables while washing them in the sink is easy. These tiny pieces of plastic don’t dissolve in water and can cause problems if they clog your pipes. Over time, they may contribute to blockages in your plumbing or even disrupt wastewater treatment plants.
What to do instead: Peel off stickers before washing your produce and toss them in the trash.
Despite what many packaging labels may claim, “flushable” wipes aren’t safe for your plumbing. Wet wipes, including baby wipes, cleaning wipes, and even those labeled as flushable, don’t break down quickly in water. They can get stuck in your pipes and combine with FOG and other debris, which leads to serious blockages.
What to do instead: Throw all types of wipes in the trash. Avoid flushing them down the toilet.
Flushing unused or expired medications might seem harmless, but they can have dire environmental consequences. Wastewater treatment plants cannot filter out pharmaceuticals. This means that medications thrown down the drain can get into our waterways, where they harm aquatic life and may contaminate drinking water supplies.
What to do instead: Take old or unused medications to a local pharmacy or designated drop-off location for proper disposal.
Household chemicals, such as paint, cleaning products, oils, and solvents, should never go down the drain. Like medications, these chemicals can get through water treatment facilities. They can pollute rivers, lakes, and oceans. This harms wildlife and may affect human health.
What to do instead: Check with your local waste disposal center for proper hazardous waste management. Some hazardous waste facilities offer special programs for disposing of toxic materials safely.
Shockingly, a significant number of people flush condoms down the toilet. However, they do not biodegrade easily and can cause blockages in both residential plumbing and sewage systems. Furthermore, if they make it through the wastewater treatment process, condoms can end up polluting oceans, where marine life may mistake them for food.
What to do instead: Always wrap used condoms in tissue or a paper bag and dispose of them in the trash.
Feminine hygiene products are not designed to break down in water. When flushed, they can expand and cause major blockages in your plumbing system.
What to do instead: Dispose of feminine hygiene products in the trash, not down the toilet or bathroom sink.
Although they may look like toilet paper, paper towels are much thicker and don’t dissolve easily in water. They can get stuck in your pipes and cause blockages.
What to do instead: Dispose of paper towels in the trash rather than flushing them down the toilet.
Even if labeled “flushable,” kitty litter can still clog drains and harm septic systems. It often carries bacteria from cat feces that resist water treatment, potentially contaminating water and endangering wildlife like sea otters. Always dispose of kitty litter in the trash to protect your plumbing and the environment.
Now that you know what shouldn’t go down your drain, let’s discuss preventive measures. Here are a few simple tips to keep your drains clog-free and your plumbing in good condition:
Despite your best efforts, you may still encounter a clogged drain at some point. If the water in your sink, toilet, bathtub or shower draining slowly, act quickly to prevent a complete blockage. Start by using a plunger or a drain snake to remove the clog.
If this doesn’t work, avoid using chemical drain cleaners, as they can damage your pipes. Instead, call a professional plumber to assess and resolve the issue.
Your home’s plumbing system is designed to handle liquids, not solid waste, cat litter, or harmful chemicals. By avoiding common mistakes, you can prevent clogs and save money on repairs.
Do not pour grease down the drain or flush wet wipes, and make sure hazardous waste is disposed of properly. This helps protect the environment too. Next time you feel tempted to rinse something questionable down the sink, take a moment to reconsider and use the trash instead. By taking care of your plumbing now, you can avoid costly problems in the future. Keep these tips in mind, and your drains will thank you!
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