Coffee Grounds Do Not Clean the Drain — They Clog It

Despite the popular myth, coffee grounds accumulate in pipes and combine with grease and soap residue to form stubborn blockages. They don't break down in water — they clump together, and over months they build up into a dense, hard-to-remove mass.

Toss them in the trash, add them to compost, or use them in the garden as a soil amendment. Your pipes — and your plumber — will thank you. If you've been doing this for years, consider running a drain cleaner as a preventive measure.