When it comes to kitchen sinks, many people don’t think twice about washing a variety of food items down the drain, especially if it has an attached garbage disposal. However, plumbing experts warn that not every material is fit to go down the drain. If you want to protect your home’s pipes, consider the following list of items you should always dispose of in the trash.

4 Things to Never Put Down the Kitchen Sink

1. Eggshells

Eggshells may seem fragile, but they can be problematic for garbage disposals. The inside of the shells contains a thin membrane that can wrap around the blades and the shredder ring and adhere to them, reducing their efficiency. Eggshells are rich in calcium, so adding them to compost is a better alternative to putting them in the disposal. 

2. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds don’t break up or dissolve once they’re flushed down a drain because they aren’t water-soluble. They eventually clump together with other substances coating a pipe’s interior, which can lead to a clog in the system. Instead, dispose of used coffee grounds in the trash or include them in the compost along with the eggshells. 

3. Oil & Grease

Though it’s convenient to pour used cooking oil or grease down the drain, it’s one of the worst things for your plumbing. Like coffee grounds, oils and fats won’t break down in water. Instead, they mix with moisture and other substances inside the pipe and solidify to create toxic sludge. It’s not problematic for small amounts of oil to go down the drain as long as the pipes are regularly flushed with boiling water, vinegar, and baking soda. However, plumbers don’t advise homeowners to dump significant amounts of grease down any sink under any circumstances.

4. Bones

Garbage disposal blades are typically dull, but they’re efficient at tearing up and shifting around small amounts of soft foods. Bones from poultry, pork, lamb, and beef, however, are too hard for the blades to handle. The disposal will suffer severe damage if it tries to break down such dense material. You’ll save a lot of headaches by throwing bones in the trash.

For more than 60 years, Miller & Humphrey Plumbing & Electric has been the go-to electrical and plumbing contractor in Enterprise, AL, and the surrounding area. The company offers a wide range of services, including maintenance, repairs, and installations as well as being the leading provider of spare electrical and plumbing parts for replacements. To schedule service with a friendly and knowledgeable plumber, call (334) 347-9212. Visit the experts online to learn more about what they have to offer.