CAN YOU PUT COFFEE GROUNDS DOWN THE SINK OR GARBAGE DISPOSAL?
Here’s why you shouldn’t put coffee grounds down the drain – and what you should do instead.
I know it’s easy to dump that sloppy mess of used coffee grounds right down your sink, but I’m here to tell you to resist that temptation. Not only will they clump together and harm your plumbing, but you’re missing an opportunity to put those grounds to better use!
Have I piqued your curiosity? Then keep reading.
Can You Put Coffee Grounds Down The Drain Or Sink?
You can pour coffee grounds down the sink drain, but you absolutely should not – despite the old wives’ tale suggesting that it’s an effective way to clean your pipes. This is a myth.
Even though ground coffee may seem like a fine powder that will wash away quickly, in this case, looks are deceiving. When you put coffee grounds down the kitchen sink, they become a thick and clumpy paste that will wreak havoc on your plumbing.
If you do it regularly, you’re sure to develop serious clogs that will require the attention of a plumber.
It’s okay to put the coffee down the drain on rare occasions if you’re desperate. If you must do it, plumbers recommend that you run a lot of water at the same time to ensure everything is adequately rinsed through.
Can You Put Coffee Grounds In The Garbage Disposal?
Your garbage disposal can handle so many dense foods; it seems crazy to think it can’t handle ground coffee beans. But indeed, coffee is best kept out of the garbage disposal unit as well.
Unlike most food, which breaks down in water, coffee grounds naturally get denser. That makes them prone to clogging your pipes, especially the U-shaped segment under the kitchen sink. And the problem gets worse when mixed with other kitchen scraps.
Nothing causes more blockages and clogged drains than coffee grounds and grease. Even if you don’t put them down the drain at the same time, they’ll meet up and form a sludgy impenetrable nightmare.
Ask any plumber you meet, and they’ll have a story about scooping a thick mass of ground coffee sludge from a pipe.
What Is The Best Way To Dispose Of Coffee Grounds?
There are several ways to dispose of coffee grounds without clogging your drains. Fortunately, many of the methods add value to your morning java.
Adding the coffee grounds to your compost bin or food waste is the best option. If you’re making coffee with a paper filter, it can also generally go right in the compost, making this a very straightforward solution.
You can also, of course, toss coffee grounds in the trash. Perhaps it is not the most environmentally friendly choice, but it is still a step up from rinsing them down the sink.
Used ground coffee makes an incredible fertilizer for your garden or lawn. Adding it to the soil provides your plants with vital nutrients like nitrogen and potassium, absorbs heavy metals, and attracts beneficial earthworms (1).
Don’t have a garden? There are plenty of other ways to use coffee or recycle your used coffee grounds.
Ground coffee makes an excellent exfoliating scrub for you or a furry friend. It can act as a natural insect repellent or air freshener, and you can even put it to work tenderizing meat before your next BBQ! Similarly, use it for scrubbing stubborn household spots like showers, tubs, or pots and pans.
This video has some more great tips:
Wrapping Up
Now you know to avoid putting coffee grounds in the sink or plumbing system. Not only do you run the risk of clogging the pipes, but you’re rinsing away all sorts of potential. Make your morning coffee twice as good by recycling your coffee grounds around your home or garden!
FAQs
No, you should never put coffee grounds down the toilet. Even though the toilet has a larger drain, you’ll eventually end up with clogs when the coffee grounds clump together. Additionally, coffee can disrupt the bacteria balance in your septic system, causing your septic tank to fill up more often and require more maintenance and repair.
The most environmentally friendly way to dispose of spent coffee grounds is to repurpose them. Not only does it take pressure off the landfill or your plumbing, but it saves buying another product. For example, scrubbing your puts with coffee grounds avoids buying a chemical cleaner to do the job.
You can fix a minor drain clog in your kitchen plumbing using home remedies. Try pouring boiling water down the drain or using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Barring that, a plunger or high-powered jetter might do the trick. A larger plumbing problem, either in your drain pipes or a malfunctioning garbage disposal, should probably be managed by a professional plumber.
References
- Lines-Kelly, R. (1992, October). Plant nutrients in the soil. Retrieved from https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/soils/soil-testing-and-analysis/plant-nutrients
