Stop flushing these 12 things down your drain

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We’re all guilty of accidentally letting things slide down the sink or flushing items we shouldn't down the toilet, but did you know that doing so can cause serious problems – not just for your plumbing system but for the environment, too?

Here's how to keep your drains healthy, prevent blockages and fix common plumbing problems yourself.

75,000 blockages a year

In the UK, we've been flushing harmful substances down our drains for decades, without many of us realising how disastrous this can be. "Each year, we have to clear 75,000 blockages from our sewers, caused mainly by a combination of cooking oil and wet wipes put down our drains," explains Matt Rimmer, head of waste networks at Thames Water. "These blockages can lead to sewage flooding in our customers' homes." Aside from this, letting things slip down our drains has a devastating impact on the environment, leading to plastic entering our waterways. It has also led to the formation of fatbergs in our sewers.

What can we do to improve the health of our home drains and pipes?

So, what can we do about it? Well, you can buy clever gadgets like hair catchers for the shower and food catchers for the kitchen sink, to stop waste clogging up your plugholes. Of course, regular cleaning is also essential. You can do this by pouring boiling water down the drain, followed by a cup of baking soda. Leave to sit for a while then rinse thoroughly with hot water. For a deep clean, use a distilled white vinegar solution. However, the main way to improve drain health is to break bad home habits and stop rinsing or flushing the following items down your toilet and sinks...

Fats, oil and grease

Fats, oil and grease (AKA FOG) should never be washed down the drain. A leading cause of plumbing problems, these substances stick to the inside of pipes and when cooled, solidify. "Grease, oils and fats act as a binder for other types of drain waste and can create thick, sticky glops that coat your drain pipes, preventing anything from being able to pass through," plumbing expert, David Cruz at MyJobQuote explains. Despite this, 48% of Brits have admitted to pouring FOG down their drains, according to Lanes Group. Instead, leave them to cool and solidify before placing them in the bin.

Coffee grounds

It might come as a surprise, but coffee grounds are thought to be a leading cause of blocked drains. It's incredibly easy for the grounds to slip down the sink, especially when you're rinsing out your French press, but they can wreak havoc on your drainage system. This is because they aren’t totally water soluble. "Over time, coffee grounds can build up and clog drains – this is made all the more likely if you are also pouring FOG down drains," explains Drain Doctor. Since coffee grounds are thought to be beneficial for plant life, composting them is the most environmentally friendly way to get rid of them.

Cooking sauces and condiments

It goes without saying that cooking sauces and condiments all contain fats and oils, and therefore can coat your drainage pipes in a similar way to butter, olive oil and cooking fats like ghee. While things like tomato ketchup and pasta sauce probably won't clog your pipes straight away, they may contribute to the build-up of grease and fats in the pipes. The best way to get rid of sauces is to compost them, but if that isn't an option they should go in the bin.

Wet wipes and nappies

There is potentially no greater cause of drain blockages than wet wipes. In fact, according to the Natural History Museum, "wet wipes flushed down toilets contribute to more than 90% of sewer blockages in the UK," and, along with FOGs, lead to devasting fatbergs. Though some claim to be flushable, they won't break down quickly or properly. They can also become caught within the pipes, creating large clogs. The same goes for nappies, which can instantly block pipes. Both should always be disposed of in the bin.

Medication and plasters

While flushing plasters can clog up drains and cause serious blockages, medication can have a big impact on the environment – and on our water supply. "It is extremely dangerous to put any drugs or medications down your drain," MyJobQuote confirms. "Wastewater treatment plants can't remove medications from the water, which means they will enter the environment and could even return to our drinking water. This can lead to a range of problems." Instead, your local pharmacy will take old medications off your hands. As for plasters, throw them in the bin.

Cat litter

Even so-called flushable types of cat litter can block drains and cause a range of issues for your plumbing system. "Additionally, cat litter can harbour a range of germs and bacteria from your cat's faeces. These types of bacteria are resistant to chemical treatments used to treat water, meaning the bacteria will eventually make their way into the water supply," MyJobQuote explains. So, don't be tempted to flush it!

Paper towels and cotton balls

While toilet paper is specially designed to break down in water, other paper products, such as kitchen towels and cotton balls, aren't. They're also extremely absorbent. Therefore, when flushed, they can get caught up in the drain and stop water flowing properly. Over time, this will cause a blockage that could be extremely costly to remove. Paper towels and cotton balls should therefore always be placed in the bin.

Feminine hygiene products

Much like paper towels and cotton balls, feminine hygiene products are designed to be highly absorbent, which means they swell in water and take a long time to dissolve. So if you continue to flush them down the toilet, it will eventually lead to a blockage. All disposable feminine hygiene products should be placed in the bin. Alternatively, reusable items are now available, which are far better for the environment.

Harsh chemicals

As is the case with medications, our wastewater treatment plants aren't equipped to remove harmful chemicals that make their way into our water supply. Therefore, when you pour cleaning products or solvents – like white spirit – down the drain, you are effectively polluting our water. These chemicals will also eventually reach the ocean and have a damaging impact on the environment. MyJobQuote recommends checking the packaging to find out how to dispose of substances appropriately. If you want to avoid these problems altogether, consider switching to natural cleaning products.

Paint

Again, wastewater treatment plants can't remove paint from our water supply. "There are many toxins in paint that can end up in the water supply, so paint is usually seen as toxic waste. Even the smallest amounts of paint can be problematic. The paint can make its way to lakes and streams, causing issues for animals, wildlife, and the environment," MyJobQuote explains. Instead, let any paint dry out before taking it to your local tip or recycling centre.

Produce stickers

While you might not mean to put produce stickers down the drain, it can easily happen when you're rinsing fruits or vegetables. But you should do your best to avoid it since these stickers are usually made from plastic, which means they aren't biodegradable. "Those little stickers don’t dissolve in water and can clog your pipes and block screens and filters or pumps at the water treatment plant," Readers Digest explains. So, ensure you remove them and place them in the bin before washing your produce.

Contact lenses

According to Inside Science, "about 20% of people who use contact lenses flush them down the toilet or sink." However, soft, hard and hybrid contact lenses are all made from different types of plastic. That means that when they get flushed down our drains, they will create microplastics that then pollute our water supply. These small plastic pieces are able to move quite freely throughout the ecosystem. Therefore, you should always recycle your lenses. Vision Direct accept any brand of used lenses, along with their plastic packaging, via their recycling scheme. Just print out a free postage label, bag them up and drop them in the post. Otherwise, you should put used contact lenses in the bin.

Common plumbing problems

All of the above and more are on Unblocktober's list of things you should never flush. In fact, even crumbs can cause issues. Flushing and rinsing things we shouldn't can lead to costly plumbing problems, including blocked exterior drains, blocked toilets and clogged sinks. There are plenty of other issues that can occur, too, especially with winter on its way. Here's how to tackle these common issues yourself...

How to unclog a blocked sink

If water is coming back up into your shower or sink, then you could have a blockage. A simple fix is to use a plunger over the plug hole while covering the overflow with a wet cloth to create an airtight seal. If that fails, try using a liquid drain cleaner. Use as per the manufacturer's instructions, then rinse with hot water. If this still doesn't work, you may need to clear the U-bend or 'trap'. Just be sure to turn off the water supply and place a bucket underneath to catch any waste water.

How to unblock an exterior drain

If you notice water sitting on the ground around your drains, or you can smell a stagnant odour, then your exterior drain is likely blocked. The first step is to lift the cover and look inside – you can do this using rope. Hopefully, it's a simple case of leaves clogging the drain. If you can see the blockage, you can attempt to clear it yourself, but you’ll need rubber gloves, goggles and a face mask, as well as drain rods, a bucket and bin bags. You might also need a pressure hose. However, if you can't see the problem you might need to call out a specialist. According to Checkatrade, a call-out will set you back around £60.

How to unblock a toilet

If you notice the water in your toilet is taking longer than normal to drain, or the level is rising when you flush, then you likely have a blockage. To fix the issue yourself, you’ll need rubber gloves and a plunger. Attempt to locate and remove the blockage by reaching into the toilet bowl. If you can’t feel anything, get the plunger out. A wire coat hanger could also work. Unravel it and push it into the toilet. Hopefully, you can break up the obstruction. However, don't do this if you have a flexible flush pipe, as you could damage it. A specialist drain rod can also be used, but if you still have no luck, you might need to call out a specialist.

How to tackle bad smells coming from a drain

If you notice a foul smell coming from your sink or drains, then this is a clear sign there's an issue. Everything from hair to food can get clogged and cause bad odours. However, the problem might be more substantial. The best way to tackle smelly sinks is to give them a good clean. Discover Plumbing and Rooter suggests pouring a few cups of baking soda down the plug, followed by hot vinegar. Allow it to foam and leave for a few hours before rinsing. If the smell persists, then move to the drain. Look for any obvious blockages and remove them. Next, pour boiling water down the drain slowly, to soften any clogs. Follow this with a bit of dish soap to dissolve any grease that has built up.

What to do in an emergency

Of course, this DIY advice will only work on simple plumbing issues. If there's a wider problem then you'll definitely need expert help. In an emergency, such as an overflowing toilet or burst pipe, you should turn off the mains water and electricity supply, before calling in the experts. Your water supplier should be able to assist if the issue is street-wide – such as a collapsed drain or blockage further up the pipeline.

When to call in the professionals

For example, Thames Water will come out for low water pressure, frozen and burst pipes, flooded sewage, leaks and blockages. However, other companies, like Anglian Water and Scottish Water, will only come out for blocked drains or sewers. These calls out are generally free, so are a good first point of call, especially if you don't know what the problem is. They will be able to advise you on the issue and whether you need to call an independent contractor out. Head to Checkatrade to find your nearest specialist.