Ladies, did you know that your daily skincare and haircare products could be damaging your plumbing system? When you think about plumbing, chances are pipes, toilets and hot water heaters will be the first few things that come to mind. The last thing you might consider are your cosmetics and toiletries! If you’ve followed along here on the blog, you likely know there’s quite the list when it comes to the dos and don’ts of plumbing. However, some guidelines might not seem so obvious! In today’s blog post, we’re going to go over some of the ways your everyday beauty regime may be damaging your plumbing system. More importantly, we’ll provide you with alternative measures so that you can protect the integrity of your plumbing system without sacrificing your favorite products!
For those new to our blog, we are a Kansas City-based plumbing company. We take pride in handling nearly everything that falls under the category of residential and commercial plumbing. Whether that be toilet repair, fixture installation, drain cleaning or anything else, we’ve got a plumber for you! Here on our blog, we have weekly posts that highlight everything from everyday plumbing tips for Kansas City homeowners to complete commercial projects from start to finish. Thanks for stopping by and we hope you enjoy this blog showing why your everyday beauty regime could be a major detriment to your plumbing system!
Your Hair Is Probably Clogging Your Sink
Let’s start with the most common plumbing issue when it comes to beauty products: clogged sinks! A clogged sink is understandably inconvenient and unpleasant. Unclogging a sink certainly isn’t the funnest of activities and is likely even a bit smelly… Hair in the drain is one of the most common reasons why sinks get clogged in the first place. The hairs form a mass of goo that prevents the sink from draining properly. This mass makes it difficult for other waste to make its way through the pipes. The best way to avoid this is to brush your hair away from the sink. You may have to sweep a bit more often, but it will be better on your plumbing in the long run. Additionally, you might consider purchasing a drain catcher. This will prevent a ball of hair from slipping down into the pipes.
Makeup Can Also Be An Issue
Do you like to go full glam? Unfortunately, even makeup has been known to clog drains. Specifically, thick foundations tend to be problematic. Foundation, concealer and similar products are tough on your pipes because they can coat the inside lining of your plumbing. Think about it! A full face is hard enough to scrub off your skin; it’s equally challenging on your pipes. These sticky products often attach to hair and other gunk in the pipes, thus causing a major clog. Even powdery products, such as eyeshadow and blush, can cause trouble if they accumulate over time.
Luckily, there are a few ways you can avoid makeup damaging your plumbing system! When applying your makeup, place a towel over the drain and allow it to collect any unused particles. Conversely, when washing your makeup off, start by using a makeup wipe. Make sure to dispose of this wipe in the trash can before washing your face with your favorite cleanser. And, whatever you do, do NOT EVEN THINK about rinsing false eyelashes down the drain! Additionally, do not dispose of old makeup, like foundation or lipstick, down the drain. Those products need to be emptied in the trash can as well.
What Are You Putting In That Bubble Bath?
There’s no denying the fact that baths are a great way to relax and unwind at the end of the day. With that being said, there are a few products that are not as friendly on your plumbing as others. Let it be known that not all products are created equal. Some products are going to treat your plumbing worse than others.
For example, bath bombs are a popular bath time accessory. After all, they fizz and smell good! Unfortunately, sometimes bath bombs don’t dissolve properly – especially if yours is filled with flower petals or other objects. Partially dissolved particles can get clogged in the drain, which can then get caught on hair or other debris. Some bath bombs are more oil-based than salt-based. As you can imagine, this can quickly cause a clog. We’re not telling you to avoid bath bombs entirely, but make sure you clean up any remnants before draining and try to avoid ones with glitter, flowers, confetti and other additives. If you use bath bombs frequently, clean out the drain on a routine basis with vinegar and water.
Those Scrubs Could Ruin Your Shower!
We all want youthful, smooth skin. Smothering yourself in a scrub might seem like a good way to achieve a beautiful complexion, but the wrong products can be terrible on your plumbing. This is mostly concerning coffee ground scrubs. Just like you shouldn’t put coffee grounds in the garbage disposal, you definitely should not put them down the shower drain! Not even Drano will be able to solve a clog like this, as it is extremely difficult to break down the grounds. A blockage like this can be very expensive and even require your shower to be gutted! Yikes! Moral of the story, unless you’re willing to seal off the drain and scoop out the grounds, avoid coffee scrubs. As an alternative, try a natural based product that will dissolve like salt or sugar.
You Know You Shouldn’t Put Those Down The Toilet…
Okay, we’re not the plumbing police. We genuinely want to help you avoid plumbing catastrophes at all costs! You’ve probably heard it before, but we just want to reiterate the severity of the issue. Do not flush makeup wipes, cotton swabs, cue tips or feminine hygiene products down the toilet! These will cause nasty clogs in no time. Let’s face it, you’d rather spend the money at Ulta or Sephora instead of having a plumber come repair an issue. Trust us on this one!
Men, You Might Be To Blame Too
Okay, we can’t blame it all on the ladies! There are other beauty products that are notorious for clogging sinks. Lotions, moisturizers, shaving cream, hair gel and coconut products are also major clogging culprits. Best case scenario, avoid putting any of these thick or sticky products down the drain. Try to use small amounts at a time. Not only will that save your plumbing, it’ll also stretch out the lifespan of the product – aka save you money!
If You’ve Made A Mistake, It’s Okay. We Can Help!
Are you experiencing plumbing problems? We understand that plumbing-related issues can be a real bummer. That being said, we’re here to help when they happen! Stine-Nichols Plumbing has decades of experience to help you get your issue resolved promptly and efficiently. We’re a small, family oriented business that truly cares about our customers. No matter if you’re looking for something as quick as unclogging a garbage disposal or as extensive as a commercial design build project, we have a plumber for you! We want to do a great job at an affordable price so that you’ll refer our services to your friends and family. If you have an issue, fill out the form on our website and one of our experts will be in touch. Alternatively, you’re more than welcome to request a free quote by phone at (816) 348-3481.
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