10 Things You Should Never Put Down the Drain

Your drains put up with a lot. Between dishes, showers, laundry, and daily life, they handle gallons of water and all kinds of gunk without complaint. But there are some things that should never make it down the drain, no matter how tempting it is to just rinse them away.

At SteadyFlo Drain Cleaning & Plumbing, we get called out for clogs and backups all the time, and a lot of them come down to what someone put down the drain. Here are the top 10 items to keep out of your pipes and why they cause so much trouble.

1. Grease, Oil, and Fat

This is the number one drain-clogger, hands down. When you pour bacon grease or leftover cooking oil down the sink, it may look like a liquid, but it cools and hardens inside your pipes. Over time, it builds up and traps other debris, creating clogs that can be really tough to clear.

Pour cooled grease into a jar or old can and toss it in the trash instead. Your pipes will thank you.

2. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds seem harmless, but they clump together in your pipes and don’t break down. They’re one of the most common causes of kitchen sink clogs.

Toss them in the trash or, better yet, use them in your garden. Coffee grounds make great compost.

3. Eggshells

The garbage disposal grinds them up, but those tiny sharp bits don’t dissolve. They collect in your pipes, mix with grease, and cause slow drains over time.

4. Flushable Wipes

They say flushable right on the package, but don’t believe it. These wipes don’t break down the way toilet paper does. They stay intact and cause major clogs in home plumbing and even in city sewer systems. If you’re on a septic system, they can fill up your tank fast.

The only things that should go down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper. That’s it.

5. Cotton Products

Cotton balls, cotton swabs, and feminine products all soak up water and expand. They get caught in bends in your pipes and build up quickly. Keep a trash can in every bathroom so no one is tempted to flush these.

6. Paper Towels

Toilet paper is designed to break down fast. Paper towels are designed to hold together, even when wet. That’s great when you’re cleaning up a spill, but terrible for your plumbing.

7. Hair

Hair is one of the biggest culprits in shower and bathtub clogs. It ties up in knots and grabs onto soap scum, building up over time. A small mesh drain cover costs a few dollars and catches hair before it becomes a problem.

If you already have a slow shower drain, our drain cleaning service can clear it out and get things flowing again.

8. Harsh Chemicals

Bleach, paint, motor oil, and other harsh chemicals can damage your pipes and hurt the environment. If you’re on a septic system, chemicals can kill the bacteria that keep your tank working properly.

Take these to a proper disposal site instead. Most towns have collection days for hazardous waste.

9. Medications

Old pills, liquid medications, and other pharmaceuticals should never go down the drain or toilet. Water treatment plants can’t fully remove them, so they end up in local water supplies.

Most pharmacies have drop boxes for unused medications. Use them instead.

10. Starchy Foods

Rice, pasta, potato peels, and other starchy foods expand when they hit water. Even with a disposal, they can turn into a paste that sticks to the inside of your pipes and causes serious clogs.

Scrape food scraps into the trash before rinsing your dishes.

What About the Garbage Disposal?

A garbage disposal isn’t a magic trash can. It’s designed for small, soft food scraps only. Fibrous foods like celery, banana peels, and corn husks can wrap around the blades. Hard items like bones and fruit pits can damage the unit.

Always run cold water while using the disposal and for a few seconds after to help flush everything through.

Signs Something Is Building Up in Your Pipes

Even if you’re careful, buildup happens over time. Watch for these signs:

• Slow drains
• Gurgling sounds
• Foul odors from the drain
• Water backing up in sinks or tubs
• Recurring clogs in the same drain

If you’re seeing any of these, it’s a good idea to have your pipes checked before the problem gets worse.

When to Call SteadyFlo

If you have a stubborn clog or a drain that just won’t cooperate, our licensed plumbers are here to help. We handle everything from routine drain cleaning to serious blockages with tools like hydrojetting that can clear even the toughest buildup. And if it’s an after-hours emergency, our 24/7 team is always ready to respond.

FAQs

Is it okay to pour hot water down the drain to melt grease?

Not really. The grease may melt for a moment, but it cools and hardens again further down the pipe. That just moves the clog somewhere harder to reach.

Can chemical drain cleaners damage my pipes?

Yes, especially with regular use. Chemical cleaners can wear down pipe walls and are especially rough on older plumbing. Physical cleaning is safer and more effective.

How often should I have my drains cleaned?

For most homes, a professional cleaning every 18 to 22 months is enough to prevent buildup. Homes with lots of use may need it more often.

What should I do if my sink is clogged?

Try a plunger first. If that doesn’t work, avoid chemical cleaners and give us a call. We’ll clear the clog without damaging your pipes.

Service Areas

SteadyFlo Drain Cleaning & Plumbing proudly serves the greater Murfreesboro and Nashville areas. Our coverage zone includes Smyrna, Franklin, Brentwood, La Vergne, Woodbury, Bradyville, Antioch, Lynchburg, Manchester, Morrison, Sparta, McMinnville, Cookeville, Smithville, Mt. Juliet, Nolensville, Rockvale, Gordonsville, Shelbyville, Spring Hill, Tullahoma, Christina, Wartrace, Winchester, and Rutherford County.