Most people don’t realize these 25 things are dangerous to put down the sink

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Most People Don’t Realize These 25 Things Are Dangerous to Put Down the Sink

We’ve all been guilty of rinsing things down the sink without a second thought. After all, if it fits and flows, it’s gone—right? Not quite.

Whether it’s your kitchen or bathroom, pouring the wrong things down the drain can lead to clogged pipes, costly plumbing repairs, environmental harm, and even damage to your home’s plumbing system. Some of the most common household habits are actually doing more harm than good.

Here are 25 surprising things you should never put down the sink—even if they seem harmless.

🚫 1. Grease, Fats, and Oils

These may go down as liquids, but they solidify in the pipes, creating thick clogs known as “fatbergs.” Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before rinsing.

🚫 2. Coffee Grounds

They clump together in pipes, especially when combined with grease. Toss them in the compost instead.

🚫 3. Eggshells

Small pieces can combine with grease and other debris, forming tough clogs. Compost them if you can.

🚫 4. Flour

Mixes with water to form a glue-like paste that hardens in your pipes—just like it does in dough.

🚫 5. Rice and Pasta

These expand in water, even after cooking. Down the drain, they turn into a starchy mess that blocks pipes.

🚫 6. Fruit Stickers

Often missed when washing produce, these tiny stickers are made of plastic or vinyl and can jam filters and wastewater systems.

🚫 7. Paint (Even Water-Based)

Contains chemicals that can harm the environment and your plumbing. Dispose of it at a hazardous waste facility.

🚫 8. Medication

Flushing old pills pollutes waterways and harms aquatic life. Take unused meds to a pharmacy drop-off or local disposal program.

🚫 9. Cleaning Products

Drain cleaners, bleach, and chemical solutions can damage pipes and contaminate the water supply.

🚫 10. Cosmetics and Lotions

Contain oils, waxes, and chemicals that can cling to pipes and build up over time.

🚫 11. Paper Towels and Tissues

Unlike toilet paper, they don’t break down easily and can block pipes quickly.

🚫 12. Cat Litter

Even if labeled “flushable,” it can cause clogs and contains parasites that harm water systems.

🚫 13. Fibrous Vegetables (e.g., celery, corn husks, asparagus)

Stringy fibers wrap around blades in garbage disposals and clog pipes.

🚫 14. Bones

Too hard for garbage disposals, and they don’t break down in water—better to toss them in the trash.

🚫 15. Pasta Sauce or Gravy

High in oil and fat, these coat pipes and contribute to grease buildup.

🚫 16. Condiments

Ketchup, mustard, mayo—most contain oils and sugars that attract pests and lead to build-up in pipes.

🚫 17. Dairy Products

Milk, cheese, and yogurt break down into fats that stick to pipe walls, plus they’re harmful to the environment.

🚫 18. Butter and Margarine

Soft or melted butter turns solid in cold pipes—just like grease.

🚫 19. Household Solvents

Paint thinner, nail polish remover, and other solvents are toxic and dangerous in plumbing and water systems.

🚫 20. Bacon Fat

Even small amounts coat pipes over time. Let it cool and toss it in the trash.