5 Things That Should Never Go Down a Kitchen Drain or Garbage Disposal
The kitchen drain is capable of handling a lot, everything from soapy dishwater to spoiled milk and even dinner scraps. Its appetite can be so voracious, in fact, that it can occasionally fool you into thinking it’s impervious to foreign not-ready-for-kitchen-drain objects. Trust us, it’s not.
Here, in fact, are 5 substances that should never be put down your drain or garbage disposal, and for more than one reason:
Toxic Substances – Paint, paint thinners, solvent-based cleaners, and even nail polish remover should never be poured down the drain. Instead, check with your town government on how best to dispose of these substances. Many hold “community clean up” days throughout the year where they will accept such substances for proper disposal.
- Medications – When your medication expires, don’t throw it down the drain or flush it down the toilet. Instead, mix it with used coffee grounds or kitty litter and throw it in the trash or check with your local pharmacy to see if they offer “take-back” days.
- Cooking Oil and Grease – Whether it’s butter, vegetable oil, or bacon fat, pouring oil and greasy substances down the drain can clog your pipes and result in costly repairs. To dispose of cooking fats, pour them into an empty glass jar or metal can, let it harden, and dispose of it in the trash.
- Kitchen Waste – Even if you have a garbage disposal, there are certain things you should avoid putting down the drain. Fibrous fruit or vegetables and starchy foods like pasta and potato skins can gum up the inside of the drain, often too far down to easily break up the logjam. Instead, dump your kitchen scraps into the compost bin.
- Automotive Products – The biggest no-no of the bunch is used motor oil. According to the EPA, one quart of motor oil can contaminate 2 million gallons of drinking water. Take all automotive products, such as motor oil, antifreeze, and brake fluid to a recycling center or service station for proper disposal.
If we truly are what we eat and drink, then we also are what carelessness or the simple lack of information forces us to eat and drink, however harmful it might be. If you know of someone who you think could benefit from this blog, we urge you to share it with them.