4Zale

Sink drain kitchen

There is nothing more aggravating in your kitchen than having a clogged drain. We all have a tendency to put things in our sink that shouldn’t be there. Some get there by accident and some on purpose. It’s important to always keep your drain cleaned so it doesn’t become plugged. There are certain tips and reminders that may be helpful in keeping a clean sink.

Unless you have a garbage disposal in your sink, do not rinse food down your drain. Many people mistakenly believe that because the small particles of food go down their drain, everything is fine. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many items go so far and then sit there. Eventually enough items get there and can’t get through so your drain, or pipes, becomes plugged. This often can cost an expense of having a plumber come to unplug the drain because it’s plugged far enough where you can’t reach.

Grease is probably the worst culprit for plugging drains. Whether it’s hot grease or cold grease, don’t do it. Grease will cling to the sides of the pipe and thicken very quickly. It will keep piling up in your drain until your drain is plugged good. Be sure to let grease cool and dispose of it in an airtight container. A good idea is to refrigerate it until it gets hard and then toss it out.

The only thing that should be poured down your drain is dishwashing liquid that’s made for use in your sink. Many other types of detergent, such as for car washing or dishwashers, can actually plug up your kitchen sink. They are thick and get broken down from the agitation of your dishwasher or washing machine, but will not break down when they are poured down your sink.

Calcium Chlorate and lime are ingredients many people pour down their sink to help get rid of odors. While it may be true that some items made for odors contain these ingredients, those items are specifically made for use in your sink. Used alone, calcium chlorate and lime will not only cause a plug but will harden like cement and cause a big problem. Unfortunately, they don’t always cause the plug at the goose neck, but further down the pipes.

In addition to not throwing cooking grease down your pipes, don’t throw any type of oil or grease in the sink. Grease and oil will harden and leave plugs in your drain, which can cause problems in the future. Many times people have poured something simple down their drain and been shocked when the sink becomes plugged. Often the plug is caused from an accumulation of things that were thrown down the drain in the past.

Another culprit for kitchen and bathroom drains is hair. Always use hair trap on your sinks and use a drain cleaner once a month to remove any hair that may be in your drain.

Apartment living does not mean you have to forego your desires for a garden. You can have a lavish garden no matter where you live. Fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers are all a possibility. Many types of plants will grow just fine inside in containers. In fact, container gardening is a popular hobby for many. All it takes is a little knowledge and a little work to make your plants flourish.

Where to Start

Your starting point is going to be finding a place to grow. If you have a patio it is a perfect spot. However, you do not have to have a spot outside. All you really need is a sunny window and for some plants, you do not even need a lot of sun. Additionally, if floor space is a concern there are a good variety of plants that will grow up a trellis or can be grown in hanging baskets. You may need to be a little creative and find containers that will work with the space you have.

Choosing Plants

Many vegetables and fruits work well growing in containers. Any vine type plant is ideal, like tomatoes and strawberries. Certain plants, like potatoes, do not work in containers because they need depth in which to grow and that is not possible in a container. Most flowers will also work in a container. Some flowers even repel pests, so your efforts will be two fold. Just be sure to choose plants that will work for the amount of sun you can provide. Do not choose full sun plants if you do not have a spot that gets a lot of sun exposure each day.

Choosing the Containers

The containers you choose are going to be important. You need to make sure you get a good size that will allow the plants you have chosen to grow and thrive. You do not want to choose containers that will stunt or inhibit the growth of the plants. You should aim to choose a container where you your plan can grow for its whole lifecycle. Most plants prefer not to be transferred and this could effect their ability to grow and be abundant. You should think about what amount of space the plant ill need once it is fully matured. Do not forget to think about the vegetables and fruit it will produce and thin about space for them too.