Experts warn against pouring Baileys down the sink after Christmas celebrations

Baileys is a staple in many homes across Ireland during the Christmas season. Whether you received it as a gift or bought a bottle to enjoy, there’s a good chance you might have some leftover after the festive celebrations.

The beloved Irish cream liqueur is usually not something that can be consumed in large amounts and as we move towards the New Year, and with some people preparing to take part in Dry January, a serious warning has been issued to anyone thinking of pouring leftover Baileys down the sink.

When disposing of Baileys, often the first thought is to pour the contents down the sink and recycle the bottle to avoid unwanted mess. But trade experts have warned that this surprisingly common act can "wreak havoc" with the pipes under the sink - leading to costly and frustrating blockages.

Mike Flook, a plumber from MyBuilder.com, said that many blockages in kitchen sinks are caused by products many of us use, but are unaware are problematic to pour down piping.

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He explained: “While it may seem that liquids like creamy drinks could be washed down the sink, the reality is that they can cause serious issues, especially if it’s a repeated action. The result can be that, depending on the product and where you tipped it, you could face blocked toilets or sinks. While this is a pain at any time of the year, at Christmas/New Year when plumbers can be hard to come by, it is doubly frustrating and costly.

A line of Baileys bottles
(Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)

"Cream liqueur drinks, such as the popular Christmas favourite, Baileys, can be a problem for your plumbing at Christmas. While it may be delicious to drink, it doesn’t keep for long, and might end up down the sink. However, this sort of beverage should never be disposed of in this way.

"Cream liqueurs have a large fat content, and as such falls into the category of FOG (Fats, Oils, and Greases). FOG should never go down the sink, as it sticks to pipes and can cause blockages. It’s also what’s responsible for 'fatbergs' in our sewers. "

The specialist also warned about disposing of leftover turkey fat in the sink, saying: "Similar to Baileys, turkey fat is classed as FOG. Half the population admit to pouring FOG down the drain, but don’t be one of them. The problem with pouring leftover fat down the drain is it will cool, which can lead to blockages and fatbergs in your pipes."

If you do accidentally pour Baileys or other FOGs down the sink, there are some important dos and don’ts:

DO Immediately run the hot water. Heat from the water can help to dissolve grease and fats, and keep them in liquid form until they are out of your pipes and in the sewer. Leave them hot water running for several minutes to be safe.

DON’T run cold water. This will quickly cause the FOG to solidify, blocking your pipes.

DO use dish soap. Adding soap to hot water is a simple and gentle way to help remove the blockages without damaging your pipes.

DON’T use chemicals. Drain unblockers are often ineffective against FOGs, and can cause damage to your pipes in the process. A plunger is likely to be more effective, and is gentle, so ensure you have one in the house just in case.

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