5 Common Kitchen Mistakes That Clog Your Sink

Many people toss food scraps down the sink, thinking they’ll disappear and spare them from overflowing trash bins. But be aware, this habit can lead to unpleasant consequences you might regret. Check out this list to avoid unexpected troubles:

1. Flour

After baking a cake or other pastries, flour inevitably ends up on the dishes. The common mistake is rinsing the flour down the sink. When it mixes with water, it forms a doughy paste that can completely block your pipes.

A simple fix: Wipe excess flour with a damp or dry cloth before washing to prevent clogs.

2. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds tend to accumulate in pipes, absorb water, and swell, eventually leading to severe blockages. Always discard coffee grounds in the trash.

3. Eggshells

Eggshells are often tossed into the sink, where they combine with water and clog the pipes. Thin eggshells may seem harmless, but their sharp, hard edges can snag inside pipes, eventually blocking them, especially as other items also try to pass.

This recommendation applies not just to cooking oil waste but also to butter, oils, salad dressings, mayonnaise, and other fatty substances. Instead of pouring them down the sink, collect the liquid in an empty plastic bottle, cap it, and throw it away in the trash.

4. Rice and Pasta

You might not realize it, but rice and pasta pieces that accumulate in your pipes pose a clog risk. They absorb water and gradually swell, eventually causing a total blockage.

Therefore, make sure to scrape leftovers from plates into the trash and keep any bits from going down your sink. Otherwise, you might end up dealing with a frustrating blockage.

5. Oil

Oil in the sink is especially troublesome. Never pour leftover oil from cookware down the pipes. Oil doesn’t vanish; it can clog your home’s plumbing. The issue is that oil sticks to the pipe walls, accumulates over time, and results in a complete blockage that requires professional help.