Households warned against pouring Baileys down the drain after Christmas

07 January 2023 , 07:00

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If you need to get rid of some Baileys, do NOT put it down the sink .... (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Who doesn't enjoy a nice Baileys at Christmas, or indeed at any time of the year to be honest?

We'll tell you - your sink!

Like a luxurious chocolate milkshake, it makes for a very popular tipple.

Baileys is a liqueur with dairy in it - meaning unlike that ancient bottle of vodka or gin you've clung onto, this sweetest of beverages will spoil with age.

And contrary to popular belief, we needn't be too hasty in getting rid of it, as the alcohol extends its shelf life for about two years.

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But, perhaps full of regret at over-indulging, many of us still feel compelled to pour it away once the festive season has finished.

Yet putting the drink down the sink can cause a lot more trouble than you might think; so much so, in fact, that Southern Water has actually warned against doing so.

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The creamy beverage can wreak absolute havoc by clogging up the drains.

So whether your Baileys was spectacularly out of date or you just couldn't face finishing it - make sure you dispose of it properly by putting it in the bin.

Many of us enjoy a Baileys - but our sinks don't! (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Southern Water says a lot of festive food and drink gets thrown away at the same time, creating the perfect storm for blocked drains everywhere.

“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," they say.

“This is the time of year where we do see an increase in blockages, and so many of these can be easily avoided. Blocked sewers can cause flooding to homes and unclogging them can take a lot of time and effort.

Foods such as curry are also on the warning list due to its high oil content.

As such, it is sensible to allow fat, oil and grease to cool in a container before being chucked away in the food bin.

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Southern Water warned that 250 tonnes of fat can enter sewage systems for every million turkeys cooked over the holidays.

Paul Speed