Kitchen sink and disposal
| Item | Drain? | Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Water, soap, small food bits rinsed off plates | Yes | |
| Cooking fat, grease, oil, bacon drippings | No | Cool it in a can or jar and put it in the trash |
| Coffee grounds | No | Trash or compost |
| Rice, pasta, bread | No | Trash or green waste; they swell in the line |
| Fibrous peels, celery, corn husks | No | Trash or compost |
| Eggshells | No | Trash or compost |
| Bones, fruit pits | No | Trash |
| Paint, solvents, motor oil | No | Household hazardous waste; check with the city or county for drop-off |
Toilets
| Item | Flush? | Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet paper and human waste | Yes | |
| Wipes of any kind, including 'flushable' | No | Trash |
| Paper towels and tissues | No | Trash |
| Feminine hygiene products | No | Trash |
| Cotton swabs, cotton balls, floss | No | Trash |
| Cat litter | No | Trash |
| Medications | No | Take-back program; check with your pharmacy or the county |
Bath, shower and laundry
| Item | Drain? | Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Water, soap, shampoo | Yes | |
| Loose hair | No | Hair catcher, then trash |
| Lint | No | Lint catcher on the washer hose |
| Sand and grit from beach gear | Limit | Shake out outdoors first |
Why it matters more in older homes
New, smooth plastic drain pipe forgives a lot. Many Cypress homes still have their original cast-iron drains and clay or cast-iron laterals, where corrosion, scale and root intrusion give debris more to catch on. A wipe that might slide through new pipe can snag on a rough joint and start a blockage that grows with every flush.
Grease is the same story. It does not stay liquid. It cools in the line and builds up in layers, especially on long horizontal runs under the slab.
Print and post
Common questions
Are flushable wipes really a problem?
They often do not break down quickly and can catch on rough or root-intruded pipe. The trash is safer.
Can a small amount of grease hurt?
Small amounts add up over months and years. It is easiest to never pour any.
Where do I take household hazardous waste?
Check with the City of Cypress or Orange County for current drop-off options.
General information for Cypress, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.