Clogged and Costly: 20 Items That Will Destroy Your Kitchen Sink

This article was originally published on ChaChingQueen.com, a site my wife and I own. AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.

A woman wearing pink gloves and an apron is washing a plate at a kitchen sink. Plants and kitchen items are visible in the background.Photo byDepositPhotos

You might not think twice about what goes down your kitchen sink, but trust me, you should. As a landlord with over 22 years of experience, I've seen countless plumbing disasters that started with a simple clog. I've dealt with all kinds of plumbing nightmares over the years. 

The cost to fix these problems has ranged anywhere from $200 to over $3000. The most expensive repair happened when we had to dig up the concrete floor of a slab house because a pipe broke underground. 

That's an extreme case, but even smaller issues can set you back hundreds of dollars. It's not just about the money either, plumbing problems can disrupt your daily life and cause a lot of stress.

Many people believe that having a garbage disposal solves all their kitchen waste problems. I hate to burst your bubble, but that's simply not true. While garbage disposals can handle some food scraps, they're not invincible. 

Certain items can damage the disposal itself or cause blockages further down the line. It's crucial to know what should and shouldn't go down your sink, disposal or not.

In this article, I'll share my hard-earned knowledge about the 20 things you should never put down your kitchen sink. I'll also give you some smart alternatives for disposing of these items. 

Got any plumbing horror stories or tips of your own? Let us know in the comments! 

What to Do Instead

Before we jump into our list of sink no-nos, let's talk about some better ways to handle kitchen waste. Proper waste disposal is key to maintaining a healthy plumbing system and reducing your environmental impact.

First, consider using a sink strainer. This simple device catches solid materials, preventing accidental disposal down the drain. It's an inexpensive tool that can save you thousands in potential plumbing repairs.

For items like fats, oils, and grease, let them solidify and toss them in the trash. These substances might seem harmless when liquid, but they can cause major problems once they cool and harden in your pipes.

Composting is another excellent solution for many food scraps. Vegetable peels, pulp, and coffee grounds are perfect for composting. This method not only reduces kitchen waste but also creates nutrient-rich soil for your garden.

As a bonus tip, I've also created an article titled "Kitchen Hacks that Reduce Food and Financial Waste" that pairs well with this topic. These practices not only help your plumbing but also stretch your grocery budget and reduce overall waste.

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of what should stay far away from your kitchen sink!

Grease and Oil

Grease and oil are major troublemakers for your pipes. When hot, they might seem harmless, but as they cool, they solidify and stick to the inside of your pipes. 

Over time, this buildup can trap other debris, creating large, stubborn clogs that are difficult to remove. Instead of pouring grease down the drain, let it cool and scrape it into the trash.

Fruit and Vegetable Peels

Those potato and carrot peels might seem small and harmless, but they can cause big problems. Peels can create a thick sludge in your pipes, leading to clogs, especially when mixed with other food waste. 

They're also tough on garbage disposals, often getting caught in the blades. It's best to compost peels or throw them in the trash.

Flour

Flour might seem innocuous, but it's a real troublemaker for your plumbing. When mixed with water, flour forms a gluey paste that can easily clog your pipes. 

This paste sticks to the sides of the drain and accumulates other debris over time, leading to serious blockages. Always wipe out floury bowls with a paper towel before washing them in the sink.

Spaghetti and Pasta

Pasta might seem soft and harmless, but it's surprisingly problematic for your plumbing. When pasta sits in water, it continues to expand, potentially blocking your pipes. 

Even small bits can swell inside the pipes and cause blockages, especially when they catch onto grease or other debris. Always scrape leftover pasta into the trash or compost bin.

Rice

Like pasta, rice is another expanding food that can wreak havoc on your plumbing. Rice absorbs water and swells, potentially creating blockages in your pipes. 

Sticky rice is especially problematic as it can turn into a starchy paste that clings to pipe walls. It's best to dispose of leftover rice in the trash or compost.

Coffee Grounds

Many people think coffee grounds are okay for the garbage disposal, but this is a myth. Coffee grounds don't break down in water. 

Instead, they clump together and settle in your pipes, leading to blockages that even a garbage disposal can't handle. Used coffee grounds are great for compost or can be used as a natural fertilizer for plants.

Eggshells

Eggshells might seem fragile, but they're surprisingly tough on your plumbing. They break down into small, sand-like particles that can combine with other debris to form clogs. 

Some people believe eggshells sharpen garbage disposal blades, but this isn't true. It's best to toss eggshells in the trash or crush them up for your garden, plants love calcium!

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes might be comfort food for you, but they're a nightmare for your pipes. The starchy consistency makes them stick to pipe walls, attracting other debris and eventually forming a clog. 

They can act like cement in your pipes, creating stubborn blockages. Always scrape leftover mashed potatoes into the trash.

Seafood Shells

Shells from shrimp, crab, and other seafood are too hard and bulky for your plumbing system. They can damage your garbage disposal and get stuck in your pipes, leading to clogs. 

Even if broken into smaller pieces, they can still cause issues by accumulating in your plumbing. Always dispose of seafood shells in the trash.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal might seem harmless, but it's another food that expands with water. In your pipes, it can turn into a thick, glue-like substance that sticks to the sides and causes blockages. 

This is especially problematic when combined with other debris. It's best to scrape leftover oatmeal into the trash or compost bin.

Bones

Bones are far too tough for your garbage disposal and pipes. They can damage the disposal blades and get stuck in your pipes, leading to costly repairs. 

Even small bones can cause issues if they build up over time. Always throw bones in the trash, or save them to make stock if you're feeling culinary.

Pulp from Juice Machines

Fruit and vegetable pulp from juicers is highly fibrous and can quickly accumulate in pipes. Over time, this fibrous material can create large blockages, particularly when combined with grease or other debris. 

Instead of putting it down the drain, add juicer pulp to your compost or use it in baking recipes for extra fiber.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are too hard for your garbage disposal and can damage the blades. Even when ground up, they can accumulate in the pipes, especially if mixed with grease. 

This combination can create stubborn, paste-like clogs that are difficult to remove. It's best to snack on nuts and seeds or add them to your compost.

Cheese and Dairy Products

Dairy products can solidify in your pipes, especially when mixed with other food waste. This can create stubborn blockages that are hard to remove. 

Cheese, in particular, can congeal and stick to pipe walls, trapping other debris. Always scrape excess dairy products into the trash before rinsing dishes.

Leftover Food Scraps

While it's tempting to rinse plates directly in the sink, leftover food scraps can accumulate and cause problems. Small bits of food can combine with grease and other debris, leading to clogs over time. 

They can also attract pests to your plumbing system. Always scrape plates into the trash or compost before rinsing.

Paper Towels and Napkins

Paper towels and napkins don't break down in water the way toilet paper does. They can create large blockages that are difficult to remove and might require professional help. 

Even if they make it past your pipes, they can cause issues at water treatment plants. Always dispose of paper towels and napkins in the trash.

Dental Floss

Dental floss might seem small and harmless, but it can cause big problems in your plumbing. It doesn't break down and can form tangled clumps inside the pipes. 

These clumps can trap other debris, resulting in severe clogs that are hard to remove. Always throw used dental floss in the trash.

Medications

Flushing medications down the sink or toilet can contaminate water supplies. Most water treatment facilities aren't equipped to remove these substances from the water. 

This can lead to environmental issues and potentially affect wildlife and human health. Always dispose of medications properly, many pharmacies offer take-back programs.

Cleaning Products

Harsh cleaning chemicals can damage your plumbing and harm the environment. They can corrode pipes over time, leading to leaks and other plumbing issues. 

These products can also disrupt the beneficial bacteria in septic systems and cause problems at water treatment plants. Always use cleaning products as directed and dispose of excess according to local regulations.

Candle Wax

Candle wax might seem harmless when melted, but it can cause serious issues in your pipes. As it cools, wax solidifies and can stick to the inside of your pipes, leading to clogs and drainage issues. 

It can also trap other debris, making the blockage worse over time. If you have melted wax in your sink, let it harden and scrape it into the trash.

Protect Your Pipes, Save Your Wallet 

There you have it, 20 things that should never take a trip down your kitchen sink. Remember, what goes down your drain doesn't just disappear into thin air. It can come back to haunt you as clogs, damaged pipes, and expensive repair bills.

Being mindful of what you put down the drain isn't just good for your plumbing, it's good for your bank account too. A little extra care now can save you from big headaches (and bills) later.

Share this knowledge with your friends and family. You might just save someone from a plumbing nightmare. 

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