What NOT To Put Down The Drain

​When you are spring cleaning your kitchen, think carefully about some of the damaging things that are often put down the drain. It may be “out of sight, out of mind”, but we need to think more about what we are doing not only to the pipes and drains, but also to the sewer system. The chemicals that we put into the country’s water system are causing damage to the environment and to wildlife. Here are some things that you definitely shouldn’t put down the drain. 

Oil and grease
Oils, fats and grease are one of the most common things we will frequently wash away down the kitchen sink plughole. It might be a quick and easy way to get rid of them, but grease builds up on the inside of not only your sewer pipes, but further along the line. They can then block the entire plumbing system. Even if it is a little olive oil left from cooking, or a bit of butter, dispose of it in the main rubbish collection rather than putting it down the sink. 

Medicines 
It is surprising how many people will tip unused medicines down the toilet or into the sink. Flushing medicines can put the environment at risk. There are concentrations of Naproxen, Ibruprofen, Carbamazepine, and even cocaine in U.K. water supplies. This poses a significant threat not only to us, but also other species in the lakes and seas. 

Cleaning Wipes
Baby wipes, moist wipes and disinfectant wipes should never go down the toilet. These wipes do not break down in the water like toilet paper. They clog up the sewers, causing blocking and flooding. 

Eggshells
Never put eggshells down your kitchen sink. They may seem harmless, but eggshells have a tendency to collect in the pipes. Eggshells help to bind together any grease, fats and oils that have gone down the drain, quickly causing a blockage. 

Women’s Sanitary Products
Just like baby wipes, women’s sanitary products shouldn’t be put down the toilet. They expand with the addition of water and don’t break down. Instead keep a small bin in your bathroom to dispose of these. 

The drain isn’t the place to put food waste, chemicals, solvents and kitchen towels. We need to take care of the sewer system, it is doing a great job of taking away waste, that doesn’t mean that we can put any old rubbish down there. Add “look after the drains” to your next Spring Cleaning list and you will have a lovely, clean house.