You might think that dumping cooked pasta down your garbage disposal is harmless, but it can damage your kitchen's drainage system and the disposal unit, leading to costly repairs.

The starchy nature of cooked pasta makes it water-absorbent and difficult to dissolve. It can continue to expand and cause severe clogs if left in pipes for long periods.

Pasta decomposes into a sticky paste that can obstruct water flow in the drain. It can also stick to the garbage disposal's blades, forcing it to work harder and wear

out faster.

It's best to throw pasta in your trash can or add it to your compost pile, where the starch is free to decompose without harming any elements of your plumbing system.