Keep Your Drains Clog-Free: Never Pour These 9 Things Down the Kitchen Sink
No one wants to deal with a clogged kitchen sink, but when it happens, it can become a serious problem in no time at all. There are various things that might technically be able to go down the drain, but can cause problems. The issue is when these things build up slowly over time or dry into a dam, causing an annoying clogged drain or expensive plumbing disaster.
These everyday household products may seem harmless going down in small doses or with the water running, but many can create a nightmare for your pipes if not handled properly. Knowing which everyday items to keep out of your sink can save you hundreds in emergency plumber fees -- and the headache of dealing with a backed-up kitchen during your next dinner party.
The 9 Household Items You Should Never Send Swirling Down the Kitchen Sink
Below, we've compiled a list of nine common household items that should never be poured down the kitchen sink to avoid clogged drains and costly plumbing repairs. From food waste to cleaning products, here's what you need to know:
1. Vegetable Peels (Carrot, Potato, etc.)
Those organic refuse can cause backups and clogged drains faster than you can say "compost pile." Speaking of which, a compost pile or organic waste processor is precisely where those materials should go.
Here's how to start a compost pile if you're new to the game:
- Choose a location for your compost pile that gets plenty of sunlight and is easily accessible
- Gather a mix of "green" materials (food scraps, grass clippings, etc.) and "brown" materials (dried leaves, straw, etc.)
- Start adding materials to your pile, maintaining a balance between green and brown materials
- Turn the pile regularly to ensure decomposition occurs evenly
2. Bacon Fat
Bacon fat shouldn't be poured down the sink, but it can be saved and used in your next recipe. Oil and grease are two of the most common drain-clogging substances.
Oil should be thoroughly cooled and placed in a sealed receptacle before being tossed. Pork fat and bacon grease can flavor your next recipe or season a cast-iron skillet.
3. Oil-Based Foods (Salad Dressing, Mayo, Marinades, Chili Crisp)
Avoid putting large amounts of mayo or salad dressing down the kitchen drain. The same goes for oily foods, including salad dressing, mayonnaise, marinades, and more.
4. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds can be composted but they shouldn't go in the sink. Over time, coffee grounds will build up in the pipes and cause a backup.
If you don't have one, consider starting a compost pile to keep food scraps from ending up in the sink and garbage.
5. Extra Flour
Extra flour should be composted or thrown away. If you've seen what happens to flour when it mixes with water, you know why it's not a good idea to pour it down the drain.
6. Cooked Potting Soil
Fight the urge to flush excess potting soil down the kitchen drain. I'm admittedly guilty of this one. The kitchen sink seems perfect to transfer an indoor plant from pot to pot, but soil and other dirt can easily clog your drain.
7. Cooked Rice
Compost it instead. Unless you have a garbage disposal, food scraps should not go down the drain. Rice and small pasta are especially tricky since they can sneak past your drain guard and end up in pipes they shouldn't be in.
8. Paper Products (Paper Towels, Napkins, etc.)
No paper products should go down the drain, even those made from thin compostable material.
9. Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint is about the worst thing you could pour down the kitchen sink. Try mixing it with kitty litter until it dries before disposing of it.
Because paint is liquid, it might seem like a candidate for the kitchen sink, but it's not. Paint adheres to pipes; if it dries, it becomes a serious plumbing problem.
Saving You from Clogged Drains: Quick Fixes and Prevention
If your drain does clog, try a combination of vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water. Many LifeProTips and Lifehacks Reddit threads report that this quick fix saves homeowners in a pinch.
There are also chemical drain cleaners to help get things moving -- although a plumber we spoke to told us why you should be cautious with chemical drain cleaners.
To stop food and solids from getting into the kitchen drain, consider investing in a $10 sink strainer. It will save you grief later on.