9 Things You Should Never Put Down The Drain

To avoid plumbing problems or hurting the environment, don’t put these things down your sinks, drains, or toilet.

While they may seem harmless, eggshells don’t break down very well and can easily get stuck in your drain. Plus, other things can get caught on the shells’ sharp edges and lead to blockages.

2. Grease

Pouring grease down the drain is a big no-no, because even though it takes on a liquid form when hot, it will eventually cool down and harden into an oily, coagulated mess that can coat and clog your drains. Instead, let cooking grease cool and solidify first, then put it in the trash.

3. Flour

Flour coagulates when it gets mixed with water, which is exactly what happens when you put it down your sink. The doughy mixture can coat the pipe and even catch other bits of food on their way down the pipe and create blockages. Instead, use a spatula to scrape batters, doughs, and flour into your trash can.

4. Medication

We should all be aware that when medication goes down any drain, it leeches chemicals in our water supply that can be harmful to the environment. Instead, take expired or unused medications to the waste disposal unit at your local pharmacy or hospital.

5. Produce Stickers

While eating them won’t cause you any harm, washing produces stickers down your drain might cause damage to your pipes or block screens at your local water treatment plant. They don’t dissolve in water and aren’t compostable, so the best place to dispose of them is in the trash.

6. “Flushable” Wipes

Even wipes marketed as “flushable” don’t dissolve very easily and can clog your drains or even entire sewage systems. Throw them away in your bathroom trash can instead, or better use, install a bidet attachment on your toilet or make a DIY “bum spray” you can use with regular toilet paper.

7. Cleaning Products

Pouring cleaning products down the drain is also harmful to the environment. Avoid water pollution by calling your local Hazardous Household Waste collection center to find out where you can dispose of bleach, ammonia, and other chemicals. Many centres offer drop-off or pick-up services.

8. Paper Products

While paper towels, cotton balls, and feminine hygiene products may seem like they’re in the same family as toilet paper, they lack the design elements that allow them to break down readily. It’s safer by far to toss any paper product that isn’t toilet paper in your trash.

9. Foods That Swell In Water

Popcorn, rice, and noodles tend to soak up water and swell accordingly, which can easily create blockages in your pipes. While it’s probably fine if a few pieces slip past your strainer and slip down your drain, be sure to toss the bulk of these food items in the trash.

Source: onegoodthingbyjillee.com

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