There is nothing more aggravating in your kitchen than having a clogged drain. We all have a tendency to put things in our sink that shouldn't be there. Some get there by accident and some on purpose. It's important to always keep your drain cleaned so it doesn't become plugged. Inappropriate liquids can cause damage to the sink itself, especially .There are certain tips and reminders that may be helpful in keeping a clean sink.

Unless you have a garbage disposal in your sink, do not rinse food down your drain. Many people mistakenly believe that because the small particles of food go down their drain, everything is fine. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many items go so far and then sit there. Eventually enough items get there and can't get through so your drain, or pipes, becomes plugged. This often can cost an expense of having a plumber come to unplug the drain because it's plugged far enough where you can't reach.

Grease is probably the worst culprit for plugging drains. Whether it's hot grease or cold grease, don't do it. Grease will cling to the sides of the pipe and thicken very quickly. It will keep piling up in your drain until your drain is plugged good. Be sure to let grease cool and dispose of it in an airtight container. A good idea is to refrigerate it until it gets hard and then toss it out.

The only thing that should be poured down your drain is dishwashing liquid that's made for use in your sink. Many other types of detergent, such as for car washing or dishwashers, can actually plug up your kitchen sink. They are thick and get broken down from the agitation of your dishwasher or washing machine, but will not break down when they are poured down your sink.

Calcium Chlorate and lime are ingredients many people pour down their sink to help get rid of odors. While it may be true that some items made for odors contain these ingredients, those items are specifically made for use in your sink. Used alone, calcium chlorate and lime will not only cause a plug but will harden like cement and cause a big problem. Unfortunately, they don't always cause the plug at the goose neck, but further down the pipes.

In addition to not throwing cooking grease down your pipes, don't throw any type of oil or grease in the sink. Grease and oil will harden and leave plugs in your drain, which can cause problems in the future. Many times people have poured something simple down their drain and been shocked when the sink becomes plugged. Often the plug is caused from an accumulation of things that were thrown down the drain in the past.

Another culprit for kitchen and bathroom drains is hair. Always use hair trap on your sinks and use a drain cleaner once a month to remove any hair that may be in your drain.