What You Should Never Throw Down Your Drains
1. Grease, Oil, and Fat
Grease, cooking oil, and fat may seem harmless in liquid form, but as they cool, they solidify and cling to the inner walls of your pipes. Over time, this can lead to severe blockages that require professional cleaning.
Safe Disposal:
- Let grease and oil cool, then pour them into a sealed container and dispose of them in the trash.
- Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing.
2. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds do not break down in water. Instead, they clump together, creating thick sludge that can clog pipes and lead to slow drainage.
Safe Disposal:
- Toss used coffee grounds in the trash or add them to a compost bin.
3. Eggshells
Many people believe eggshells can be safely ground up in the garbage disposal, but their sharp edges can mix with other debris, forming a thick paste that can clog pipes.
Safe Disposal:
- Throw eggshells in the trash or use them in compost to enrich soil.
4. Pasta, Rice, and Bread
These starchy foods absorb water and expand, creating a sticky, glue-like substance that can easily clog pipes. Even small amounts can accumulate over time, leading to slow drainage.
Safe Disposal:
- Dispose of pasta, rice, and bread in the trash or compost bin.
5. Flour
When mixed with water, flour turns into a thick, pasty substance that sticks to pipe walls and traps other debris, leading to stubborn clogs.
Safe Disposal:
- Always throw excess flour in the trash.
6. Bones and Hard Food Waste
Garbage disposals are not designed to grind up hard food waste like bones, fruit pits, or nutshells. These items can damage the disposal blades and cause blockages in the plumbing.
Safe Disposal:
- Toss hard food waste in the trash or compost when appropriate.
7. Medication
Flushing prescription or over-the-counter medications down the toilet or sink can contaminate water supplies and harm the environment. Water treatment facilities are not equipped to filter out pharmaceuticals, leading to pollution in rivers and oceans.
Safe Disposal:
- Take unused medications to a pharmacy or designated drop-off site.
- Some medications can be mixed with coffee grounds or cat litter and thrown in the trash.
8. Household Cleaners and Chemicals
Many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can corrode pipes and contaminate water sources. This includes bleach, ammonia, paint, and pesticides.
Safe Disposal:
- Check local hazardous waste disposal guidelines.
- Use eco-friendly cleaning products to minimize harm.
9. Flushable Wipes and Paper Towels
Despite being labeled "flushable," most wipes do not break down like toilet paper. They accumulate in pipes and sewer systems, causing major blockages and costly repairs.
Safe Disposal:
- Throw wipes and paper towels in the trash, not the toilet.
10. Hair
Hair may seem harmless, but it easily tangles and clumps together in pipes, forming tough clogs that restrict water flow.
Safe Disposal:
- Install drain covers to catch hair and clean them regularly.
- Dispose of hair in the trash instead of washing it down the drain.
11. Paint and Solvents
Pouring paint, thinner, or other solvents down the drain introduces toxic chemicals into the water supply, harming both plumbing and the environment.
Safe Disposal:
- Allow paint to dry completely before disposing of it in the trash.
- Take leftover paint and chemicals to a hazardous waste facility.
12. Cat Litter
Even if the label says "flushable," cat litter should never be disposed of down the toilet. It clumps together, absorbs water, and can create serious blockages in your pipes. Additionally, cat waste contains bacteria that can be harmful to water sources.
Safe Disposal:
- Always throw cat litter in the trash.