Can you? Yes! Should you? No!
Coffee grounds should not go down a sink drain. Even though coffee grounds are ground up into very fine pieces, coffee beans are pretty rock hard. It’s equivalent to grounding up a peach pit and dumping it down your drain – which most of us wouldn’t do – let’s hope!
Coffee grounds don’t actually break down in water, they steep and all the good rich flavor and caffeine leaches out into your favorite cup.
What happens when you dump coffee grounds down your sink?
Instead of grinding up and washing away as normal foods do in a garbage disposal, coffee grounds clump together. After a while, the grounds can form a clump and pack the drain until it develops a clog. Not good.
If you suspect this has happened, you can start by making your own drain cleaner. Hopefully, this will take care of the trick. If it doesn’t, give us a call!
What to Do With Coffee Grounds Besides Putting Them Down the Drain
You could just throw the grounds in the trash, but here are some other things that magic coffee bean dust is good for.
Composting and Fertilizer
The nitrogen in coffee is great for your garden and the environment.
Pest Control
We LOVE the smell of fresh-brewed coffee, but pesky critters do not. Sprinkle coffee grounds to scare away ants, snails, and slugs. Plus, the plants will like the grounds! Win-Win!
Meat Rub
The acidity in coffee grounds acts as a meat tenderizer, plus the rich flavor of the coffee will enhance any BBQ dish or pot roast. Use them as dry rubs and marinades.
Fridge Deoderizer
Ditch the box of baking soda and put a dish of coffee grounds in your fridge instead.
Hand Deoderizer
Rub coffee grounds on your hands after chopping onions, handling fish, or for any other pungent smell that may linger. It works! And it’s exfoliating.
The Wrap Up
Just don’t do it. Dumping coffee grounds down your drain may not cause a problem today, or even next week, but it will build up and cause you a headache later. Kind of like when you don’t get your morning cup of coffee.
Looking for plumbing repair or service? Call (800) HEDLUND > (800) 433-5863
About Hedlund Plumbing
The solution to all your plumbing repair, installation, and maintenance needs. Our local Lansing plumbers are fully licensed and insured professionals. We arrive on time in a marked van ready to go with the tools and materials to complete the job. Our commitment to our customers is why we are considered by many to be the top Lansing plumber.
