7 Things You Should Never Pour Down the Drain (According to Plumbers)
Keeping your plumbing in good shape is one of the easiest ways to avoid costly home repairs—but it starts with knowing what not to send down your sink or toilet.
Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or landlord, these expert-backed tips will help you prevent clogged pipes, plumbing emergencies, and potential damage to your home’s foundation and systems.
🚫 What Not to Pour Down the Drain
1. Grease and Cooking Oil
Grease solidifies as it cools, creating a sticky mess that clogs pipes over time. Even running hot water won’t solve the problem—it just pushes the grease further down until it hardens again.
Instead: Let grease cool, then toss it in the trash.
2. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds don’t dissolve and are notorious for building up in drains. Over time, they mix with other debris and cause serious blockages.
Better option: Add to compost or sprinkle in your garden—plants love the acidity.
3. Eggshells
Even crushed shells can cling to existing gunk in your pipes. Their sharp edges trap other food waste, turning a minor buildup into a major clog.
Solution: Compost or trash bin, not the sink.
4. Fibrous Foods
Think potato peels, pasta, celery, broccoli, and stringy vegetables. These don’t break down easily and tend to wrap around pipe interiors, causing stubborn clogs.
Pro tip: Trash or compost these instead.
5. “Flushable” Wipes
Spoiler alert: nothing labeled “flushable” really is. These wipes don’t break down like toilet paper and can clog both your pipes and city sewer systems.
Where they belong: Bathroom trash bin, always.
6. Paper Products (Other Than Toilet Paper)
Toilet paper is designed to dissolve. But paper towels, tissues, makeup wipes, and cotton balls aren’t—and they can cause nasty backups.
Do this: Only flush toilet paper. Toss everything else.
7. Feminine Hygiene Products
Tampons, pads, and personal wipes expand in water and do not dissolve. They can cause major blockages in your home’s plumbing and beyond.
Always: Wrap and throw away in the trash—not the toilet.
Why Drain Maintenance Matters
Ignoring what you pour down your drains can lead to clogged pipes, water backups, and costly plumbing repairs. In worst-case scenarios, it can even damage your foundation.
Avoid plumbing problems by treating your pipes right—and educating tenants, kids, or guests on what’s safe to flush or rinse.