Irish households at Christmas are always laced with bottles of Baileys, which could end up out of date by the time you get to them.
For most people, the first thought it to throw the bottle’s content down the sink and recycle the bottle so there is no mess. However, plumbing experts have issued a post-Christmas warning about the popular cream liqueur because it can apparently wreak havoc with the pipes under your sink.
Because of its rich nature, manufacturers recommend that you drink it within six months of opening the bottle. But with thousands of people opting to take part in Dry January this month, you might be tempted to get rid of any alcohol by pouring it down the sink.
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Before you go chucking it down the drain you should know the damage and blockages you could cause with it. Alex Saunders, head of Southern Water's wastewater network in the UK, warns: "Something like Baileys, which has a cream content could add to problems. No one likes a nasty surprise over the festive season and a blocked drain is no different."
Meanwhile, Kevin Began, Director Blockbuster Drainage explained that this is because "it will collate in the 'U' bend under the sink due to its thick consistency and prevent liquid from passing through to the external drainage". It can also cause it to "set in the small bore pipework and cause blockages".
Hot cooking fat, oils and sauces should also never be disposed of down the drain, as it can have the same effect and cause blockages. Instead, Kevin says you should pour the cooled liquid into a "sealable container and dispose of it in your general waste bin".
Jamie Woodhall, UK Technical and Innovations Manager at Rentokil Specialist Hygiene told The Mirror: "You should only pour water based products down a sink, or those that are water soluble.
"Flushing unsuitable products down domestic or commercial drains can lead to expensive drain blockages and overflowing sinks as well as increasing the risk of contamination, since grease sludge can harbour pathogenic bacteria."
He added: "Top culprits for blocking drains in homes and commercial spaces are products that contain grease, fats and oil; expanding foods such as rice and pasta; flour; coffee grounds; and paint.
"With a severe blockage, some people turn to mechanical cleaning methods such as high pressure water jetting and rodding, but the se are maybe unsuitable and even become a source of bacteria contamination if not operated with care. So you should always consult an expert to resolve a severe blockage in a safe manner."
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