Nobody 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 a variety of things that might technically be able to go down the drain, but can cause problems. The issue is when these things cause clogs that can become an expensive issue down the line.
These everyday household products might seem harmless going down in small doses or with the water running, but many build up slowly over time or dry into a dam, causing an annoying clogged drain or expensive plumbing disaster. 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.
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If you have a clogged drain, we asked a plumber how to get things moving. Spoiler alert: It’s not using a chemical drain cleaner. If your drain is flowing freely, consider yourself lucky, but don’t push it. Below, you’ll find nine things you should never send swirling down the kitchen sink.
9 household items that will clog your drain
1. Vegetable peels
Carrot, potato and other vegetable peels may fit down the drain but that’s about the worst place you can put them. That organic refuse will 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.
2. Oil and grease
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. A small spot of mayonnaise may not cause an issue, but dumping a whole bottle of past-its-prime balsamic dressing or teriyaki marinade could cause problems.
Heavily oil-based foods can’t be composted and should be tossed in the garbage.
4. Coffee grounds
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. Imagine dense bread dough trying to make its way through your pipes. It’s not pretty.
If you have leftover flour from a baking project or a recipe, you should compost it or throw it away.
6. Dirt and 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.
If you can do it without letting more than a few granules down the sink, you’ll probably be OK. If heaps of potting are involved, you’d be wise to take the project outside.
7. Rice and pasta
Paper products, no matter how thin, do not go down the kitchen drain.
No paper products should go down the drain, even those made from thin compostable material. Certain kitchen products, like plates, bowls, and napkins, can be composted, but check carefully before adding them to your kitchen pile or smart kitchen bin. Otherwise, they should be tossed.
9. Paint
Is there anything baking soda and vinegar can’t do?
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, a $10 sink strainer It will save you grief later on.
Most important is knowing which foods and household materials to keep out of the kitchen sink to avoid a clogged pipe catastrophe.
FAQ
After rigorous testing, CNET has determined the best overall chemical drain cleaner is Green Gobbler Main Line Opener. For a full list of our tested chemical drain cleaners, you can reference our best list here.
Do baking soda and vinegar really unclog drains?
