Through visions of my mother’s stratified frozen grease jars and my father begging his household of hormonal women to brush their hair before taking a shower, preventing clogged drains has long been engrained within me. Clogged drains, and the larger issue of blocked sewer pipes, are caused over time as objects and substances make their way down our drain pipes and slowly build-up like a fatal plaque within our sewer systems.

These objects include: coffee grounds, kitty litter, cigarette butts, dirt, condoms, feminine napkins, facial tissues, dental floss, cotton balls/swabs, cleaning wipes, diapers, bandages, and the usual culprits of hair, excess cooking oils, large food particles, produce stickers, and powdered detergents.

Just because your garbage disposal or drain cleaner is able to free it now, does not guarantee that it won’t re-form later on down the pipes. These blockages require septic tanks to be pumped more often, are financially costly to repair, and are known to overflow into streets and streams.

Perhaps worse than blockage, however, are the effects that chemicals within these products cause to our environment. Don’t assume that just because something is free flowing or dissolving, it’s okay to have it coursing through our pipes. Environmental toxins such as unused medications, paints, thinners, varnishes, photochemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, and used motor oils should be disposed of as mentioned on label, or mixed with kitty litter or coffee grounds before hitting the trash. Even when doing the “right” thing by putting these objects in the trash, one should always opt to purchase biodegradable versions and minimize use when possible.

Bottom line: put only poo, pee, and TP down your toilet; and soap and crumbs down your sink.  Remember, the Earth’s water is continuously cycling and what you put in it now, will be passed onto future generations- be clean, and be green.