Drains are something we rarely think about—until there’s a problem. Whether it’s a slow-draining sink, a foul odor coming from the pipes, or a full-blown clog that backs up water, the issue often traces back to what we’ve been letting slip down the drain over time. You might think small bits of food or liquids won’t hurt, but many everyday items can lead to serious blockages, pipe damage, or expensive plumbing repairs.

In this guide, we’ll walk through 10 of the most common things people send down their kitchen or bathroom drains—and explain why that’s a big mistake. You’ll learn not only what to avoid, but how to prevent problems and keep your plumbing system healthy, clean, and fully functional. Best of all, you don’t need to be a plumber to understand it. Whether you’re a homeowner, a renter, or someone simply tired of dealing with clogged sinks, this article has got you covered.

1.Cooking Oil Grease and Fats

One of the most common causes of kitchen drain clogs is cooking oil or grease. After cooking, it might seem easy to just rinse leftover oil or bacon grease down the drain with hot water. But what seems harmless in liquid form quickly turns into a sticky, thick sludge once it cools.

Grease hardens inside the pipes and catches other debris like food particles and soap scum. Over time, this build-up narrows your pipes and causes slow drainage or even full blockages.

Why It Matters:

Grease buildup is hard to remove without professional help.
It contributes to sewer overflows and pipe damage.
It can lead to strong foul odors in your kitchen sink.

What to Do Instead:

Pour grease into a jar or empty can, let it solidify, and throw it in the trash.
Wipe pans with paper towels before rinsing them..

2. Leftover Food Scrapers

Whether it’s a few grains of rice or a chunk of leftover vegetables, food should never go down the drain unless you have a well-functioning garbage disposal—and even then, caution is key. Many foods expand with water, become sticky, or break into fibers that clog pipes.

Starchy foods like pasta, rice, or potatoes swell up and become gummy in water. Fibrous vegetables like celery or corn husks tangle up and block pipes. Even tiny scraps can collect and combine into clogs over time.

Why It Matters:

Clogged kitchen sinks are often caused by accumulated food waste.
Food attracts pests like drain flies and cockroaches.
Decomposing scraps can cause sour smells and pipe corrosion.

What to Do Instead:

Scrape all food into the trash or compost bin before rinsing dishes.
Use a drain strainer to catch particles.

3.Baby Wipes and Wet Wipes

Even if the package says “flushable,” baby wipes and cleaning wipes should never go down the drain or toilet. These wipes are made from durable synthetic materials that don’t break down like toilet paper. Instead, they snag on pipe walls and combine with grease and other materials to form solid clogs known as “fatbergs.”

Why It Matters:

Wipes are one of the top causes of sewer line backups.
They don’t dissolve in water, even after days or weeks.
They can damage septic systems and municipal water treatment plants.

What to Do Instead:

Always throw used wipes into the trash.
Use toilet paper if you need a flushable option.

4.Coffee Grounds

It’s a daily habit for many people—make coffee, then rinse the grounds down the sink. But coffee grounds don’t break down in water. They clump together and form a dense, sludgy material that can clog up sink traps and pipes, especially when mixed with grease or soap residue.

Why It Matters:

Grounds can settle in the bottom of the pipe and harden.
They reduce water flow and trap other materials.
You may not notice the problem until it becomes a full blockage.

What to Do Instead:

Toss coffee grounds in the trash or use them in your garden compost.
Mix them with baking soda for a natural deodorizer in the garbage can.

5. Paper Towels and Napkins

Paper towels may look like toilet paper, but they’re not designed to break down in water. They’re made to stay strong when wet, which is why they clog drains easily. Throwing them in the sink or flushing them down the toilet is a quick way to cause a backup.

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Why It Matters:

Paper towels expand and absorb water, forming bulky clogs.
They block not just household drains, but main sewer lines too.
Removing them may require pipe snaking or hydro jetting.

What to Do Instead:

Dispose of used paper towels in the trash.
Switch to washable cloths or rags when possible.

6.Hair

Hair is one of the most common causes of bathroom drain clogs, especially in showers and sinks. As strands wash down the drain, they bind together and stick to soap scum and toothpaste, forming massive clumps.

These clumps don’t dissolve and can be nearly impossible to remove without a snake or professional drain cleaning.

Why It Matters:

Hair traps water and causes slow-draining sinks and tubs.
It creates the perfect environment for mold and bacteria.
Over time, hair clogs can damage plumbing pipes.

What to Do Instead:

Use a hair catcher or drain screen in sinks and tubs.
Clean out visible hair after every shower or grooming session.

7. Toothpaste & Soap

You probably use soap and toothpaste every day, but over time, they can do real damage to your drains. Bar soap, especially scented or moisturizing types, leaves behind a sticky residue that binds with hair and dirt.

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Toothpaste is also sticky and can coat the inside of your drainpipes. When combined with hair, floss, and dead skin, this gunk becomes a solid clog.

Why It Matters:

Soap scum narrows pipes and traps other debris.
It leads to gurgling sounds and water backup in sinks.
Sticky toothpaste residue slows water flow.

What to Do Instead:

Switch to liquid soap when possible.
Rinse the sink thoroughly with hot water after brushing your teeth.

8. Cigarette Butts

Tossing cigarette butts into the toilet or bathroom sink might seem like an easy way to get rid of them, but it’s a major mistake. The filters are made of plastic-like fibers that don’t dissolve in water. Worse, cigarette butts contain chemicals like nicotine, arsenic, and heavy metals that can leach into the water supply.

Why It Matters:

Filters can clog pipes, especially if they combine with hair or soap.
Chemicals from cigarettes pollute wastewater systems.
Butts in pipes increase your risk of costly plumbing repairs.

What to Do Instead:

Use an ashtray or trash can for disposal.
Consider a small metal can with a lid to contain odors.

9. Eggshells

Many people assume eggshells are harmless in a garbage disposal, but they actually pose a hidden threat. The thin shell fragments don’t grind up completely. Instead, they mix with grease and coffee grounds to form stubborn sludge.

The eggshell membrane is stringy and can wrap around disposal blades or drain traps.

Why It Matters:

Eggshell particles collect in U-bends and slow down drainage.
The membrane layer can cause mechanical damage.
Over time, they contribute to serious clogs.

What to Do Instead:

Throw eggshells in the compost bin.
Use them to fertilize your garden soil.

10 Medications and Chemicals

Pouring old pills or expired medication down the sink or toilet doesn’t just risk clogs—it’s a health and environmental hazard. Most medicines don’t break down easily in water, and wastewater treatment plants aren’t equipped to remove pharmaceutical chemicals.

Bleach, paint, solvents, and cleaning agents are also harmful. They can corrode pipes and create dangerous fumes.

Why It Matters:

Medicines in water can harm aquatic life and contaminate drinking supplies.
Harsh chemicals corrode plumbing and septic systems.
Pouring drugs down the drain is illegal in many places.

What to Do Instead:

Bring medications to a pharmacy take-back program.
Dispose of chemicals at hazardous waste collection sites.

Final Thoughts:

Protect Your Plumbing and Save Money

Keeping your drains clear isn’t just about avoiding inconvenience—it’s about protecting your home’s plumbing system, preventing costly repairs, and being a responsible part of your community.

By avoiding these 10 common drain-clogging culprits, you’ll reduce the risk of plumbing issues, unpleasant odors, and water damage. Most importantly, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re treating your pipes—and your wallet—with care.

If you’re dealing with recurring clogs or slow drains, take a moment to consider your daily habits. A few small changes can make a big difference.

New Flow Plumbing can assist in unclogging a drain or repairing a trash disposal. With decades of knowledge and a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, you can count on us to clear your drains. Call us now!

FAQs

Why is my kitchen sink draining slowly even after cleaning?

A slow-draining kitchen sink often results from grease, food particles, or soap scum buildup inside the pipes. Even if the sink appears clean, these substances can accumulate over time, narrowing the pipe’s diameter and slowing water flow. Regularly flushing the drain with hot water and avoiding pouring grease or food scraps down the sink can help prevent this issue.

Can I pour cooking oil down the drain if I use hot water?

No, pouring cooking oil down the drain, even with hot water, is not advisable. While hot water may temporarily keep the oil in liquid form, it will eventually cool and solidify within the pipes, leading to clogs. Instead, collect used oil in a container and dispose of it in the trash once it solidifies.

Is it safe to flush baby wipes down the toilet?

Flushing baby wipes down the toilet is unsafe, even if labeled “flushable.” These wipes do not break down easily and can cause blockages in your plumbing system. It’s best to dispose of used wipes in the trash to prevent potential clogs and plumbing issues.

What foods should I avoid putting in the kitchen sink?

Avoid disposing of starchy foods like rice and pasta, fibrous vegetables like celery, and greasy substances down the kitchen sink. These items can expand, tangle, or solidify in the pipes, leading to clogs. Instead, scrape food scraps into the trash or compost bin before washing dishes.

Why does my bathroom sink smell bad even after cleaning?

A persistent bad smell from the bathroom sink may be due to trapped hair, soap scum, or toothpaste residue in the drain. These materials can harbor bacteria, leading to unpleasant odors. Regularly cleaning the drain and using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can help eliminate the smell.

Can coffee grounds clog my kitchen drain?

Yes, disposing of coffee grounds down the kitchen drain can lead to clogs. Coffee grounds do not dissolve in water and can accumulate in the pipes, combining with grease and other debris to form blockages. It’s better to throw used coffee grounds into the trash or compost them.

Is it okay to pour leftover paint down the sink?

Pouring leftover paint down the sink is harmful to both your plumbing and the environment. Paint can coat the inside of pipes, leading to clogs, and contains chemicals that can contaminate water sources. Dispose of paint properly by taking it to a hazardous waste disposal facility.

How can I prevent hair from clogging my shower drain?

To prevent hair from clogging your shower drain, use a drain cover or hair catcher to trap hair before it enters the drain. Regularly clean the cover and remove any accumulated hair. Additionally, avoid washing large amounts of hair down the drain at once.

What should I do if my toilet keeps getting clogged?

If your toilet frequently clogs, it may be due to flushing inappropriate items like wipes, sanitary products, or excessive toilet paper. Ensure only human waste and toilet paper are flushed. If clogs persist, it might indicate a deeper plumbing issue, and consulting a professional plumber is recommended.

Products labeled “flushable,” such as certain wipes or cat litter, often do not break down as easily as toilet paper and can cause clogs in your plumbing system. It’s safer to dispose of these items in the trash to maintain a healthy drainage system.