What Not to Put Down the Drain to Prevent Clogs

Fats, Oils, and Grease

Fats, oils, and grease are common in the kitchen. After cooking, many people pour hot grease down the drain in kitchen sinks, thinking it will wash away. However, as these substances cool, they solidify, sticking to the inner walls of pipes. Over time, this buildup narrows the pipe’s passage, leading to stubborn blockages. In severe cases, it can cause sewer backups and expensive plumbing repairs.

Why It’s Bad:

• Clogs and Blockages: The sticky residue from fats, oils, and grease catches other debris, forming stubborn clogs.
• Environmental Impact: When washed into the sewer system, these substances contribute to fatbergs—large, solid masses that block public sewer lines.

What to do instead:

• Cool and Dispose: Let fats, oils, and grease cool and harden, then scrape them into a container and throw them in the trash.
• Reuse or Recycle: Some cooking oils can be reused for frying or baking. Alternatively, check for local recycling programs for used cooking oil.

Coffee Grounds

Many people assume coffee grounds are harmless because they are small and granular. However, they don’t dissolve in water. Instead, they clump together, forming a thick sludge that sticks to the inside of pipes. When combined with fats, oils, and grease, coffee grounds create a stubborn clog that’s difficult to remove.

Why It’s Bad:

• Sticky Sludge: Coffee grounds mix with grease to form a sludge-like substance that slows down water flow.
• Pipe Damage: Over time, the accumulation of coffee grounds can corrode pipes, leading to leaks and costly repairs.

What to do instead:

• Compost: Coffee grounds are excellent for composting as they enrich the soil with nitrogen.
• Trash Disposal: If composting isn’t an option, simply toss them in the trash.

Eggshells

It’s easy to assume that eggshells would break down in the garbage disposal. However, they break into tiny, sharp pieces that stick to other debris, forming clogs. The membrane inside the shell can also wrap around the disposal’s blades, reducing its efficiency.

Why It’s Bad:

• Sharp Fragments: Eggshell fragments catch other waste, creating stubborn blockages.
• Garbage Disposal Damage: The membrane can tangle around the disposal’s blades, damaging the motor.

What to do instead:

• Compost: Eggshells are great for compost as they provide calcium to plants.
• Trash Disposal: If you don’t compost, simply throw them in the trash.

Pasta and Rice

Pasta and rice expand when exposed to water. Even after cooking, they continue to absorb moisture and swell. If they go down the drain, they can clog pipes by expanding and forming a starchy paste. This paste sticks to the pipe walls, attracting other debris and leading to blockages.

Why It’s Bad:

• Expansion in Pipes: Pasta and rice swell with water, blocking the flow in pipes.
• Starchy Residue: The sticky starch coats pipes, making it easier for other debris to get trapped.

What to do instead:

• Use a Sink Strainer: A sink strainer catches pasta and rice, preventing them from entering the pipes.
• Trash Disposal: Discard the collected food particles in the trash.

Condoms

Can a condom clog a toilet? Yes, it can. Condoms are made of latex or polyurethane, materials that do not break down in water. When flushed, they can easily cause blockages in both residential plumbing and public sewer systems. Worse, they can tangle with other waste, creating massive clogs that require professional removal.

Why It’s Bad:

• Non-Biodegradable: Condoms don’t break down, leading to long-term blockages.
• Environmental Impact: Flushed condoms can end up in oceans, harming marine life.

What to do instead:

• Wrap and Dispose: Wrap used condoms in tissue or a paper bag and throw them in the trash.

More Items to Avoid

• Flushable Wipes: Despite the label, “flushable” wipes don’t break down like toilet paper. They can get stuck in pipes and cause severe blockages.
• Paper Towels and Tissues: These are thicker than toilet paper and do not dissolve easily, leading to clogs.
• Medications and Chemicals: Flushing medications or chemicals can pollute water sources and harm the environment.
• Produce Stickers: These small stickers do not dissolve and can stick to pipes, causing blockages.