Can You Put Coffee Grounds Down the Sink?

Ever heard that putting coffee grounds down the sink can clean or freshen the scent in the drain? Don’t fall prey to the myth! You should never use a garbage disposal like a trash can. Take it from the experts at Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing: resist the urge to put coffee grounds down the drain unless you want to have some serious clogs on your hands.

Let’s take a closer look at why this is a problem and what you can do if you’ve already committed the sin and are facing a clog in your kitchen sink drains.

Why You Shouldn’t Put Coffee Grounds Down the Sink

If food can go down the garbage disposal, why isn’t the same true for coffee grounds? Unlike most foods, coffee grounds clump together in water rather than breaking down. With time, the grounds can build up inside your sink drains, creating clogs that can prohibit the drains from doing their job. Coffee grounds should always go in the trash can. They also serve as a nice fertilizer for your garden if you have a green thumb.

Other items that should go in the garbage rather than the disposal include:

• Grease, oil, and fats
• Starchy foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, or potato peels
• Fibrous items like eggshells, banana peels, fish skins, and celery
• Anything that is not food, like cigarette butts, metal, wood, glass, and sponges

Like coffee grounds, these items can clog your drains or jam the garbage disposal. When in doubt about where to put kitchen waste, always choose the trash can.

What to Do If You Put the Wrong Stuff Down the Drain

If the deed has been done, and you need garbage disposal repair, help with drain clogs or other kitchen plumbing repairs, it’s important to get service from experienced plumbing professionals. Signs you need help with a clogged drain or malfunctioning garbage disposal include:

• Water backing up out of the sink drain
• Slow-draining water in the sink
• A gurgling noise coming from the sink
• The odor of rotting food coming up from the kitchen drain
• Food particles visible in the sink after you run the dishwasher

If you notice any of these problems with your kitchen sink, it’s time to call on the licensed, expert technicians at your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing to evaluate your kitchen plumbing and garbage disposal. They have the professional tools and expertise to identify the source of your problem and provide the efficient repairs you need to get your kitchen sink and garbage disposal performing optimally once again.

Get an estimate for plumbing services online now or call to speak to a friendly Mr. Rooter Plumbing team member.