It can be tempting and convenient to just let any of your kitchen waste (especially the messier things) go down the sink instead of throwing it in the bin. All that mess will just be minced into the sewerage, right?

This may be partially true, but all that food waste you put down your kitchen sink will pass through your pipes and drains, and it is only a matter of time before your drains will become blocked, causing a clogged sink.

There are countless things that you shouldn’t put down your sink due to their size or the chemicals they contain. Here are some of the common items that you should never put down your sink:

1. Grease

Oil-based products like salad dressing, mayonnaise, oil, and butter help add flavor to your dishes. But have you seen what happens to these products when they cool down? All of that grease becomes solid and builds up along the walls of your pipes like a clogged artery.

Grease is one of the most common substances that can cause blocked kitchen drains. To safely dispose of grease or oil-based products, you can attach a grease trap to your sink to catch the grease. If you do not have one, you can cool the grease or oil first and collect it before putting it in the trash.

2. Flour

Flour is a staple ingredient in any kitchen. You can use it to make your favourite waffles or to bake a cake, but never put it down your kitchen sink. You probably know what happens to flour when you mix it with liquid.

Now imagine that happening inside your kitchen drain. Water will not flow properly with all that sticky matter around and is often not enough to push these substances out of the pipes. Flour can also gather other debris and create a large blockage over a short period of time.

3. Milk

So why shouldn’t milk go down your drain when it is clearly a liquid? It’s actually not because of its form, but because of its effect on the environment.

Milk is considered a highly polluting substance due to its high oxygen demand. Since the water from your sink will also make its way to the ocean, milk deprives other organisms, like fish, of the oxygen they need to survive. In Australia, it is actually a criminal offence for a business to dispose of milk or other dairy products down the drain.

Next time you get your favourite dairy product, make sure you have enough time to consume it or dispose of it in the trash if it expires.

4. Medicines or pills

Expired or not, medicines and pills should not go down your kitchen sink.

All wastewater is treated to be used again. Even though the water is treated, some of those chemicals found in medicines cannot be filtered. Therefore, the chemicals in those medicines could eventually lead back to your drinking water or to the wildlife in the ocean. You should always dispose of your expired medicines through your local pharmacy, as they have access to the proper disposal units and strict procedures to do so responsibly.

5. Coffee grounds

Who doesn’t enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee? But how should you get rid of the coffee grounds once your morning caffeine buzz has kicked in?

Whatever you do, don’t put coffee grounds down your kitchen sink. Coffee grounds stick together and cause a sludgy buildup in your drain. Also, coffee grounds are not easily pushed away by water, so they may collect and stink up your kitchen.

A creative way to dispose of your coffee grounds is to them as compost. This way you can help prevent a blocked drain and also save money on your plants’ nutrients in the process.

ALSO READ – 10 Simple Ways to Fix a Blocked Drain At Home

Having drain problems, possibly a blocked sink?

Chances are, you’ve put some of these items down your kitchen drain.

If you have, the best thing to do is hire the services of an experienced plumber to check if your pipes are still well. At No Probs Plumbing & Electrical, our workmanship is always of the highest quality, performed by trained professionals and backed by our customer service guarantee.

Contact us today to learn more about our expert plumbing services and keep your pipes clean and clear for the year to come.

ALSO READ – How Using Drain Cameras Can Help Fix Blocked Drains in Perth

Blocked sink: what shouldn’t go down your sink