Is It OK to Dispose of Fats, Oils, and Cooking Grease Down the Kitchen Drain?

Pouring grease down the drain followed by hot water will not prevent your drain from clogging.

Water and other non-greasy liquids can go down the drain. winnond/Shutterstock

Dear Mary: Is there any problem with disposing of cooking grease and oil down the kitchen drain, as long as one is careful to follow with very hot water? My wife and I are at odds on this and have agreed to let you settle the argument. Hope to hear back soon. We could use some harmony.—Ben

Dear Ben: While I’m not exactly a marriage counselor (though I did write “How to Debt-Proof Your Marriage”—just saying), I’m happy to help settle this little spat. You didn’t say who’s on which side of the debate, but I’m glad for that—wouldn’t want to be accused of playing favorites!

Now, if you’re in a hurry and just want the bottom line: No, it is never OK to pour cooking grease, oil, or fats (FOGs, for short) down the drain, no matter how hot the water.

I know, I know. It may seem like a small thing, but trust me on this. According to American Water (the biggest water utility company in the United States), when those FOGs go down the sink, they cool off and turn into a thick sludge that clings to your pipes. Dish soap and garbage disposals aren’t going to do anything to break this stuff down. Over time, it builds up and can cause nasty blockages, backups, and even overflow problems. And the odor? Let’s just say it’s not the kind of scent you want wafting through the house.

And let’s not even get started on the cost of fixing it. According to Angi, the average price to clean out a grease-clogged drain is around $300. Ouch! That’s a bill you could’ve avoided by just tossing the grease in the trash.

So what can you do instead? Before you wash those greasy pots, grab a rubber spatula and scrape off as much of the grease as you can into the trash. Trust me, it’s way cheaper than calling the plumber later.

I hope this clears things up and restores peace to your household. In fact, I think I hear the faint sound of harmony floating through your home now. If you ever need more tips (or a little marriage counseling—just kidding!), I’m here.

Dear Mary: I found you on Facebook during the pandemic and have loved the Everyday Cheapskate daily email and blog ever since. I bought a set of bedsheets you recommended from JCPenney. I absolutely love them, so much that I wash them and put them right back on the bed. I would like to purchase a second set, but sadly, I can no longer find them. Are there any others brands with comparable quality, comfort, and pricing that you can recommend, please? I’m not interested in knit sheets, by the way. I like soft, white sheets (not crisp percale).—Diane

Dear Diane: Thanks for finding me! I believe you are referring to JCPenney’s Royal Velvet (I agree, they were the best ever), a line of bed linens that were discontinued a couple of years ago. Now JCP has brought Royal Velvet sheets back but under a different brand name: Wrinkle Guard.

While the brand name may not be quite as elegant as “Royal Velvet,” Wrinkle Guard is an excellent replacement. These 100 percent cotton sheets have the sateen weave (smooth and silky like Royal Velvet) as opposed to percale weave, which produces a more crisp feel.

I have prepared more details, links, and pricing on my picks for the best inexpensive cotton bedsheets at EverydayCheapskate.com/BestInexpensiveSheets. Come visit!

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