A lot of stubborn clogs start with something that seemed harmless going down the drain. Here's what to avoid, and what to do with it instead.

Why "it went down fine" doesn't mean it's fine

Plenty of things will disappear down a drain without immediately clogging it. The problem shows up later, once grease cools and hardens inside the pipe, or fibrous material catches on a joint and starts collecting everything that flows past it. By the time you notice a slow drain, the buildup has often been forming for weeks.

Do

  • Pour cooled cooking grease into a sealed container and throw it in the trash
  • Scrape food scraps into the trash or compost before rinsing dishes
  • Use a drain strainer to catch coffee grounds, hair, and food particles
  • Run hot water for a few seconds after washing dishes to help rinse the line
  • Dispose of medications through a pharmacy take-back program, not the toilet

Don't

  • Don't pour grease, oil, or fat down any drain, even with hot water
  • Don't put coffee grounds or eggshells down a garbage disposal regularly
  • Don't flush wipes, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products, even ones labeled flushable
  • Don't pour paint, solvents, or chemicals down a drain — they belong at a hazardous waste facility
  • Don't dump large amounts of flour, rice, or pasta down a sink, since they expand and clump

Quick tip: If you're not sure whether something is safe for the drain, the trash is almost always the safer call.