Updated on: October 3rd 2025
Coconut oil has become a favorite in many households. You can use it on your hair, on your body, and even to brush your teeth. Although it might be great for you, the question comes up: Will coconut oil clog drains?
The answer is yes. Coconut oil isn’t too easy on your home’s pipes. You can quickly build up a clog in your home if you get too coconut oil happy. If you’ve been letting it wash down the sink and are now noticing issues like slow drainage, a professional inspection from an Orlando drain cleaning service is your best solution. We’re here to help you solve any plumbing problems that pop up in your home.
Why Coconut Oil Clogs Drains
Okay, so let’s back things up a little and talk about how and why coconut oil clogs your home’s drains. The science is simple: coconut oil has a melting point of around 76°F (24°C). While that may seem warm, the pipes inside your walls and underground are almost always cooler than that temperature. When the warm, liquid oil comes into contact with the cooler pipes, it quickly solidifies and sticks to the sides.
Now, it doesn’t really get too cold here in Orlando, but it does get cold enough for coconut oil to solidify in your drains and cause issues. If you’ve spent months putting coconut oil down your drain, then you might notice slow-moving drains and backups. This is when you should contact us for professional service.
What to Do With Coconut Oil Instead
So, what’s the correct way to dispose of used coconut oil? It’s easy!
- Scrape it into the trash: Allow the oil to cool and solidify in the pan or container. Then, use a spatula or paper towel to scrape the solid oil directly into your garbage can.
- Pour it into a disposable container: For larger amounts of liquid oil, pour it into a non-recyclable container with a lid (such as an old takeout container or jar), let it solidify, and then discard the entire container.
Other Common Reasons Why Drains Get Clogged
Do you think you have other problems with your drain? These are some other common issues that might affect your home’s plumbing:
- Fat, oil, and grease (F.O.G.) are similar to coconut oil in the sense that they might go down as oil, but they’ll settle into a solid form through a process called saponification, creating dense, soap-like blockages that are very difficult to clear.
- Wet wipes (these aren’t meant to go down your drain, no matter how they’re marketed)
- Dental floss
- Cotton swabs
- Cat litter
- Mineral build-up
- Tree roots
- Dirt
Realistically, only food waste, soap, and liquids should go down your kitchen sink. Only human waste and toilet paper should go down your toilet. If you’re putting too much outside of this down your drains, then you’re only sabotaging your home’s cleanliness and overall comfort. Now, let’s talk about keeping your home’s drains clean.
How to Keep Drains Clean
Here’s how you can keep your home’s drains clean going forward:
- Avoid putting F.O.G. (fat, oil, and grease) down the drain
- Have drain cleanings regularly
- Dispose of hard food waste like pits, eggshells, and seeds in the trash, as they can damage the blades in your garbage disposal.
- Avoid coffee grounds (they don’t dissolve and build up in pipes)
- If you’re suffering from soap scum, then you need to consider water softening systems
- Get a drain screen or hair catcher to protect your home’s drain from hair in your shower
Following these tips is the best way to maintain healthy pipes and prevent future clogs. However, sometimes a blockage has already formed deep within your plumbing system due to months of buildup. If you’re dealing with a drain that gurgles, backs up, or empties slower than it used to, it’s time to call in the experts.
Have a Stubborn Clog? We Can Help
Even with the best preventive care, tough clogs can still occur. Whether it’s caused by solidified coconut oil or another underlying issue, the licensed plumbers at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. have the professional tools and expertise to diagnose and clear the blockage safely and effectively.
Don’t live with the frustration of a slow or backed-up drain. Contact us to schedule your professional drain cleaning service and get your plumbing flowing smoothly again.