Households have been advised to avoid pouring a number of different Christmas-related food and drink items down the sink.
Christmas Day usually causes a lot of food waste to be created, and people have been urged to get out of the habit of just putting it down the drain.
Whether it's fatty meat residue or creamy beverages, there is plenty that can cause problems.
With that in mind, let’s see what the experts say when it comes to disposing of these popular seasonal products.
Christmas food to avoid putting down the drain
Liv Reid, kitchen expert at Prestige Granite, has shared that households underestimate how sensitive their plumbing is and make the mistake of pouring plenty of food down the drain.
She said: "Christmas leftovers might feel harmless because they’re soft, warm, wet or liquid at the time, but once inside your pipes, they behave very differently.
"Fats solidify, starches expand, and creamy residues cling to surfaces. I’m afraid it’s the perfect recipe for slow-draining sinks and unpleasant smells, right when you've got guests ‘round."
She added: "People seem to assume hot water will simply ‘wash away’ fat or cream. Unfortunately, that only moves the problem further into the pipes, where it cools and congeals.
"The result is often a stubborn blockage that requires professional intervention. Prevention really is far easier, and far cheaper, than the cure."
Russell Brazier, pipe expert and owner of Transam Extrusions, has provided a guide on what food and drink can and cannot be poured down the drain this Christmas.
Turkey and ham fat residues: Although it may be tempting to wash away the delicious drips from roasted turkey or gammon, these fats harden and can cause serious damage to your pipes, resulting in blockages that are the opposite of festive.
Bones and peels: Turkey bones, potato peels, and fibrous vegetables like celery and onion skins should stay far away from your sink, as your pipes might get clogged by them.
Creamy indulgences: Even though they taste great, things like eggnog, Baileys, creamy sauces and buttery mixtures can cause plumbing problems if they are poured down the sink. Over time, these dairy-based items may solidify and result in obstructions.
Starchy leftovers: Leftover mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pasta may seem harmless, but they swell in water, turning into stubborn blockages that put a damper on the holiday spirit.
Christmas drinks to avoid putting down the drain
Mulled Wine and spiced beverages: As tempting as it may be to let the remnants of mulled wine or spiced cider disappear down the drain, the spices and remnants can create a sticky mess and unpleasant odours.
Dessert beverages: Warm chocolate and sugary dessert beverages may leave behind sticky residues that draw dirt and debris and increase the risk of blockages in your plumbing.
Coffee fixings: Coffee grounds, the byproduct of those fragrant coffee brewing sessions, ought to stay out of the drain. They often gather in pipes to create a gummy mess.
What can you do with Christmas leftovers?
Russell has shared a few tips regarding the best ways to get rid of leftover Christmas food and drink properly.
This includes considering composting organic waste and placing sieves over kitchen sink drains to catch food particles and prevent them from going down the drain.
Recommended reading :
- 5 recipes you can follow to get the most out of your Christmas leftovers this year
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- I tried Lidl's Christmas sandwiches and one got me singing a merry tune
Meanwhile, Liv said: "My advice, for households this Christmas, is simple: treat your drain like another appliance that needs care.
“Instead of rinsing fats, sauces, or starchy scraps away, let them cool and dispose of them in the bin or food waste caddy.
"Wipe greasy pans with kitchen roll before washing and avoid letting any solid particles even reach the plughole."
