Can you wash coffee grounds down the sink

Most people know that they shouldn’t put coffee grounds down the kitchen sink, where it can cause serious clogs. That leaves some people asking: is it okay to put coffee grounds down the toilet? Unfortunately, that isn’t a solution to your coffee ground problems either. We’ll explain what can go wrong if you put coffee grounds down the toilet, and what you should do with them instead.

Why Can’t You Put Coffee Grounds Down the Toilet?

Coffee grounds are small, soaked particles that settle quickly overtime. They can create the perfect storm when they meet oils and greases, which can solidify with them to create serious and stubborn clogs. When you flush the grounds, this clog is more likely to happen deeper in your sewers than when you pour them down the sink.

If you’ve only put coffee grounds down the toilet once, they probably won’t cause any problems unless the conditions were just right. But the more that you pour the grounds down the drain, the more chances you have to develop a problem. Here are a few things you can do with the grounds instead of putting them down the drain.

Is it Okay to Put Coffee Grounds Down the Sink?

No. Coffee grounds clump together in water instead of breaking down, which is a great recipe for drain clogs. While it’s okay to put a minute amount down your sink (especially if you flush it with plenty of water), it’s not something you should do on a regular basis.

Try Coffee Ground Composting

Coffee grounds are a great addition to a compost bin. They add acidity, which is great for some plants.

Of course, you’ll need more than just coffee grounds for the compost. You’ll need a large container and space for it outside. You’ll need to add both green things (which are sources of nitrogen) and brown things (which are sources of carbon).

Coffee grounds, along with other kitchen waste and grass clippings, are considered greens. For your browns, add leaves, twigs, straw, paper, and even drier lint. Your paper coffee filters are also a great source of browns. You’ll need to keep the compost wet and turn it every few months.

Throw Coffee Grounds into the Garbage

You can simply toss your coffee grounds into the garbage. If you use a paper filter, this is easy. If you use a reusable filter or brew your coffee with a French Press, then you might want to swirl the grounds with a little water to get it all out. Of course, this can make your garbage bag wet and occasionally create a problem if you have a hole in them. You might want to toss them out with something absorbent.

Put Coffee Grounds Directly on Your Plants

Some plants don’t need coffee grounds to be composted in order to make use of them. As coffee grounds add acidity to the soil, they can create brighter, differently colored blooms in some plants and more delicious fruits in others. Here are some plants that can benefit from coffee grounds:

• Hydrangeas
• Holly (multiple kinds)
• Bleeding hearts
• Blueberries
• Daffodils
• Marigolds
• Nasturtium
• Azaleas
• Magnolias
• Spruce trees
• Ash trees

However, know that soil can be too acidic even for plants that enjoy a high pH. Add your coffee grounds to the soil only every so often.

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