Items you should never put down the drain

6 items you should never put down the drain

It's doing more harm than good. - by Livia Gamble

Tipping certain items down the drain is doing your sink more harm than good.

Here are five items you should never dispose of down the drain.

Egg shells

The sharp, hard edges associated with the shell of an egg can get caught with other items going down the drain, eventually causing it to clog. Instead, here are eight ways to recycle your shells.

Grease

Grease and oil stick to the pipes. After pouring these substances down your drain they become solid, catching any stray food scraps that come past eventually causing a blockage.

Flour

When flour and water are mixed together, they can turn into a glue like substance. After coating the edges of your drain, it can collect other bits of garbage and food scraps.

Fruit stickers

When washing fruit, make sure you take the stickers off. Stray stickers don't disintegrate in water and could cause problems in the future.

Coffee grounds

Coffee grounds are a common cause of blocked drains. As this plumbing website points out, "Nothing causes more blockages and clogged pipes than coffee grounds and grease." Always dispose of them in the bin or compost.

Products claiming to be 'flushable'

It turns out those flushable wipes can’t actually be put down the drain. In an article published on choice.com.au last year, it was reported that Australia’s water service providers are spending around $15 million a year to clear blockages.