Holiday cooking hazards: What not to throw down the sink

It's common to pour various substances down the drain daily, such as food scraps, oil, or tea and coffee grounds. Many of us don’t realize the serious consequences. Although such habits may seem harmless, the opposite is true.

During dishwashing, leftovers often end up in the pipes but don't always wash away completely. Improperly disposed scraps can lead to blockages that make cleanliness challenging and cause permanent damage. Repairs are expensive, and a clogged sink is a major inconvenience, especially during this time. It's important to take measures to avoid this.

1. Products that increase in volume when exposed to water include grains or rice, which can swell in the drainage pipes. When too many accumulate, they will block the drain.
2. Pasta and flour. Like grains and rice, they swell due to gluten when water exposes them.
3. Meat. When meat lingers in the pipes, it smells unpleasant and provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. This applies to both raw and cooked meat.
4. Vegetables. Vegetables with a high starch content or fibrous vegetables can clog the drain very quickly, especially when smoothie or celery juice remnants end up in the sink.
5. Eggshells. Not only are they sharp and can cause permanent scratches, but when combined with fat or flour, they can clump together and quickly clog the drain.
6. Oil. Although often used in holiday dishes, oil should never go down the drain. It causes pipes to clog quickly and can damage them.
7. Coffee or tea grounds. In contact with water, these quickly clump together and cause blockages.
8. Raw dough. This sticky, flour-based substance coats the inner walls of the pipes, reducing their capacity and leading to blockages.