12 Things You Should Never Pour Down the Drain
Plumbers say these bad waste disposal habits are what keeps them busy.
Eggshells
You might think that a crushed-up eggshell should slide down the drain smoothly, but it’s actually increasing the risk of a serious blockage. The sharp, hard edges of the shell can collect other things coming down your drain, and eventually cause a clog.
Here are eight more reasons you need to stop throwing away eggshells.
Grease
When you pour grease down the drain, it sticks to the inside of your pipes and the pipes in the street. This can cause the entire pipe to become clogged over time. Other oil-based products are also dangerous to pour down your drain, such as cooking oil, salad dressings, butter, mayonnaise, and fat. If needed, make sure to let the grease cool first, then dispose of it in the trash instead.
Psst—you’ve been putting garbage bags in wrong this whole time.
Flour
Flour coagulates when mixed with water. This can clog your pipes by coating the edges and catching other bits of disposables trying to make their way down. Always throw your flour—whether mixed with water or not—in the garbage.
Here’s why you should drill holes in your garbage can (if you haven’t already).
Medication
If you flush your unused or expired medication or crush it up and pour it down the drain, those chemicals will be leaked back into your drinking water and the environment. Always make sure to dispose of unwanted medication at your local pharmacy, which will have access to medical waste disposal units.
Find out more medication mistakes you’ll want to avoid.
Produce stickers
How many times have you washed fruit, watched the produce sticker fall into the sink, and then spiral down into the drain? Your best bet is to peel off these produce stickers before you wash your fruit and dispose of them properly. Those little stickers don’t dissolve in water and can clog your pipes, and block screens, filters and pumps at the water treatment plant.
These grocery store secrets will change the way you shop for produce.
Coffee grounds
Used coffee grounds can build up in your pipes and cause blockages. In fact, plumbers say they’re the single most common cause of drain problems. You should always dispose of coffee grounds in the garbage, or better yet, use them for composting.
Discover more clever uses for coffee grounds.
Condoms
Condoms are made of latex, which doesn’t disintegrate in water, so never, ever flush them. Throw them in the trash instead.
Here’s what you should know about sex after 50.
Cleaning products
Even though most cleaning products are liquid, they shouldn’t be poured down the drain because they contain harmful chemicals. Many contain phosphates, antibacterial agents, and other compounds that aren’t removed at the water treatment plant and can be hazardous to the ecosystem.
Follow this healthy home checklist to eliminate more potential household hazards.
Paper products
The only paper product that should go down your drain is toilet paper. It has been specially designed to break down and disintegrate in water. Always dispose of other paper products such as paper towels, cotton balls, and feminine hygiene products in the trash. These items are extremely absorbent and will easily clog your pipes.
These cleaning hacks can help take the hassle out of housekeeping.
Expandable food
It okay to let some food run down the drain, but a lot of it expands when mixed with water and can lead to a block. Pasta and rice are two foods to watch out for. Also, pastas are made with flour, which will become sticky and catch other things in your pipes.
Find out how to unclog a toilet—without a plunger.
Paint
Similar to cleaning products, paint should never be poured down the drain even though it’s a liquid. It has the potential to pollute the environment and cause your drain to clog. Many municipalities have hazardous waste facilities where you can safely dispose of your old or unused paint.
Brush up on these painting tips from the pros.
Many products claiming to be “flushable”
A great deal of products claiming to be “flushable” such as cleansing wipes still create a high risk of clogged drains. Many brands of “flushable” wipes fail to break break down as advertised, creating clogs in pipes.
Now that you know what not to pour down the drain, find out the six things plumbers never do in their own homes.
