Brits have been warned not to pour coffee grounds down the drain as the common habit can “wreak havoc”. A morning “cup of joe” is a staple in homes across the UK – and for many people it’s an absolute neccessity ahead of long day.
While many people drink instant coffee or have machines that use pods you can simply thrown away after use, others prefer the classic approach of filling up a cafetiere for a stronger and richer taste. But if you’re a regular cafetiere user, you’ll know there’s a mound of coffee grounds left in it over after. You may be in the habit of simply rinsing the device after to loosen up the grounds and pouring it down the sink hole.
But draining and plumbing services dirm Drain Doctor strongly advises against doing so, warning of the impact it could have on your drainage systems.
In hints and tips article on their website, the company included the common mistake in a list of 10 items you shouldn’t put down the drain (but probably do).
Drain Doctor says where blocking drains is concerned, “coffee grounds are thought to be one of the biggest offenders” alongside fats oils and grease, often refered to by utility companies by the acronym, FOG.
“Though it might seem innocent enough to let coffee grounds go down the drain, they can wreak havoc on your drainage systems since they aren’t totally water soluble,” the article adds.
“Over time, coffee grounds can build up and clog drains – this is made all the more likely if you are also pouring FOG down drains.”
The firm notes that spent coffee grounds are great for plants. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) they’re useful for soil enrichment as they contain a “mix of organic compounds, including many of the ones that make up plants” as well as “nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium”.
Drain Doctor says the composting used coffee grounds is the most planet-friendly solution. You can either put them in your home compost bin along with other compostable materials for your plants, if you have a garden, or simply put them in your kitchen food waste caddy.