What Exactly Can I Put Down My Drain?
We have all had that moment. That moment that you know, deep down in your soul, that you just put something into the garbage disposal that you shouldn’t have. Your hair starts to tingle, you feel a little emptiness inside and realize nothing good can come from what you just did. In our decades on the job, we have seen some weird stuff stuck in peoples’ drains, but the more common causes of plumbing problems are the seemingly innocuous. Here’s a quick rundown of what cannot go down the drain (even the garbage disposal):
WHAT YOU CAN PUT DOWN THE DRAIN
- Hot or cold water
- Beverages or soft foods
- Dish soap
WHAT NOT TO PUT DOWN THE DRAIN
- Rice or pasta
- Coffee grounds
- Celery
- Asparagus
- Grease or cooking fat
- Cigarette butts
- Plastic wrap
- Paper towels
- Baby wipes
- Cottons balls
- Cat litter (even the ones marketed as “flushable”)
- Paint
- Auto fluids like motor oil, antifreeze, etc.
- Medications
- Eggshells
- Conventional cleaning products
- Other harmful chemicals (even if marketed as “drain cleaners”)
Bottom line, treat your drain pipes well. Just because it disappears out of sight does not mean that everything is fine. If you have any doubt about whether or not something should go down the drain, it is probably safer to dispose of it another way. When in doubt, throw it out.
Or if you are currently experiencing any issues at all with any aspect of your plumbing, schedule an appointment. Our professional plumbers are simply the best at what they do and there is no job that is too big or too small.
