No – you should never pour laundry detergent down the drain.
Doing so can cause serious damage to your home’s plumbing wastewater system and the environment.
So why is it so important to avoid pouring laundry detergent down the drain? Here’s a closer look at the potential consequences.
The Plumbing Conundrum
Laundry detergent is formulated with certain chemical compounds that are effective at cleaning clothes.
This includes surfactants which are designed to reduce surface tension allowing the detergent to penetrate fabrics and remove dirt and stains.
Unfortunately these same surfactants can wreak havoc on the plumbing in your home.
When poured down the drain the surfactants can cause a thick soap-like buildup inside your pipes.
This buildup can create blockages and potentially cause your pipes to burst.
The Environmental Impact
In addition to causing problems in your home’s plumbing pouring laundry detergent down the drain can have serious environmental consequences.
Surfactants can be toxic to aquatic life and the buildup of detergents in the environment can cause water pollution.
This can lead to the death of fish and other animals as well as degrade the quality of the water.
What to Do Instead
If you’re wondering what to do with excess laundry detergent there are several alternatives.
For starters you can recycle any plastic containers that your detergent comes in.
Many local stores offer recycling bins specifically for plastic containers.
You can also save leftover detergent for future laundry loads.
Just make sure to store it in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.
Finally you can look for a detergent buyback program.
Some companies offer discounts for returning your unused detergent.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that pouring laundry detergent down the drain should always be avoided.
Not only can it cause serious damage to your home’s plumbing it can also lead to environmental contamination.
Instead look for alternative ways to dispose of your unused detergent.