Households told to stop putting ‘innocent’ liquid in dishwasher | UK | News

Loading greasy plates straight into the dishwasher is something of households do without thinking twice. But experts warn one seemingly harmless liquid could quietly cause damage every time you press start.

Cooking oils, leftover greese, salad dressings and oil-based sauces should never be poured or rinsed into your dishwasher, experts warn. Although it may seem they disappear during a hot wash, the fatty residue can build up in your home’s pipework over time. This would lead to a huge plumbing bill that would not be ideal during a cash-strapped time for families up and down the UK.

According to Home Serve, fats, oils and greese travel through the plumbing while they’re too warm before cooling and solidifying further down the pipe. As they harded, they stick to the inside of drains and begin trapping food scraps and other debris, eventually leading to stubborn blockages.

The home emergency repairs and improvements business says the problem isn’t limited to used cooking oil either. Grease from roasting tins, frying pans, oily marinades and salad dressings can all contribute to the same build-up if they’re regularly washed away.

Instead, experts recommend wiping greasy pots, pans and plates with kitchen roll before loading them in the dishwasher. Leftover oil should be allowed to cool before being poured into a suitable container and disposed of in the household bin.

Water UK claims fats, oils and greese are among the biggest causes of blocked sewers across the country. They can combine with other waste to form huge blockages known as fatbergs, which cost millions of pounds to remove every year.

Research cited by Thames Water also warns that pouring grease down the drain remains one of the leading causes of avoidable blockages. The water company says hot water and washing-up liquid may appear to wash grease away initially, but it often cools and hardens further along the pipework.

Plumbing experts advise against putting coffee grounds, flour, rice and pasta down the drain too, as they contribute to clogs in household pipes. Taking a few extra seconds before using the dishwasher could help homeowners avoid expensive repairs.