REVELLERS have been warned not to make a potentially costly mistake if they have any leftover Baileys after Christmas.
The Irish cream liqueur is a staple across many households during the festive season as the nights draw in.
But with the 1L bottle sometimes being too much for people to finish off, you may be tempted to throw the dregs down the drain.
According to plumbing experts, pouring any of the remaining drink down the sink could result in blockages – potentially leading to a nasty plumbing bill.
Tradespeople at Mybuilder.com have warned that Baileys is classed as ‘fats, oils and greases’, or FOG, and should never be chucked down the plughole.
“This popular drink has a short shelf life even when refrigerated, so often ends up down the sink,” the company said.
“But creamy drinks such as Baileys are classed as a FOG, and can wreak havoc on pipes.
“Most blockages could cost upwards of £250 to fix – and it’s so avoidable.”
Baileys says that Baileys Original lasts two years from the day of bottling, opened or unopened when stored at the optimum temperature of between zero and 25 degrees celsius.
You can find a best before date printed on the back of the bottle, and Baileys advises people to drink it before this date.
If you don’t, cream liqueur should be disposed of like any other fats and oils.
You should seal it in a container then dispose of it in the bin.
What other things should you avoid pouring down the sink?
Anything which is in the same food category as Baileys – fats, oils and greases – should never go down the sink.
Things such as meat fat, cooking fat and gravy are all potential pipe blockers because when they cool, they solidify.
Custard can also be problematic because it causes a coating on the inside of pipes, which can cause them to block.
Similarly, you should always bin or compost any leftover pancake batter rather than wash it away.
The easiest way of disposing of all of these things is to put them in an old tub, bottle or jar and put them in the bin.
How to save money on Christmas shopping
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.
Limit the amount of presents – buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.
Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you’re not having to buy multiple presents.
Plan ahead – if you’ve got the stamina and budget, it’s worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.
Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you’re not forking out more than you should though.
Buy in Boxing Day sales – some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.
Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.
Shop via outlet stores – you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.
They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.
What to do if your drain is blocked
The first thing worth doing is flushing the drain with lots of boiling water.
Do be careful when you do this, and make sure you pour a kettle of water in slowly.
If that doesn’t work, London-based BDS Drainage suggests that before you try any harsh chemicals or branded drain unblocker, you might be able to unclog your drains with products you already have.
It suggests using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to shift any clogs.
The fizzing reaction of the two things combined helps to remove any unwanted grime or waste that has built up over time inside the pipe.
You should let it sit for a couple of hours or overnight if possible and then flush with hot water.
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