Five things you should never throw down the sink drain

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# 🚫 Five Things You Should **Never** Throw Down the Sink Drain

The kitchen sink may seem like a convenient place to rinse off leftovers and pour out liquids, but make no mistake — some items can cause **serious damage** to your plumbing, your wallet, and even the environment. What seems harmless today can turn into a clogged, smelly, and costly mess tomorrow.

So before you tip that pan or rinse that plate, here are **five things you should NEVER throw down the sink drain — even with a garbage disposal.**

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## 1. 🥄 **Grease, Fats & Oils**

This is the **#1 offender** in most kitchen plumbing nightmares.

When hot, grease looks like liquid — but as it cools, it solidifies. Over time, grease builds up in your pipes like cholesterol in arteries, causing blockages and backups.

**Common culprits:**

* Bacon grease
* Butter
* Cooking oil
* Lard
* Salad dressings

> 🔧 **What to do instead:** Let grease cool, then scrape it into a disposable container or jar and toss it in the trash.

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## 2. 🥔 **Starchy Foods (Pasta, Rice, Potatoes)**

Starches absorb water and **expand**, even after being cooked. That means when you send pasta, rice, or potato peels down the drain, they can swell up and create a gluey, sticky blockage.

**Even small bits** can cause big problems — especially when combined with grease.

💡 **Pro tip:** Compost your starchy scraps or throw them in the trash instead.