Grease Down Kitchen Drain: Should You Really Do It? Plus Answers to Your Burning Questions

Welcome to another round of Ask Me Anything—where your everyday dilemmas, curiosities, and (sometimes) marital disputes land in my inbox. You bring the questions, and I bring the answers—practical, tested, and ready to help. Today’s lineup includes whether or not you should grease down your kitchen drain (spoiler alert: you shouldn’t!), what to do when your balance transfer credit card’s interest rate skyrockets after your account is sold, and how to spot a government grant scam before it costs you.

You’ve sent in questions that had me nodding, laughing, and rethinking my own go-to advice. But hey, that’s the beauty of this little corner of the internet—we tackle life’s small (and not-so-small) problems together. Let’s get to it!

Contents

Here is a quick summary of the questions I’ll answer in today’s post. You can click on one to go straight to it or scroll down to read all.

1. 1. Is It Okay to Dispose of Fats, Oils and Cooking Grease Down Kitchen Drain?
   2. What Are the Best Affordable Alternatives to Royal Velvet Sheets?
   3. Why the Shark Navigator Lift-Away is a Fan Favorite
   4. What Can You Do When Your Credit Card Interest Rate Skyrockets?
   5. Are Government Grants the Answer to Buying a Home or Getting Out of Debt?
   6. What Happened to KevianClean Leather Cleaner?

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Is It Okay to Dispose of Fats, Oils and Cooking Grease Down Kitchen Drain?

Dear Mary: Is there any problem with disposing cooking grease and oil down the kitchen drain, as long as one is careful to follow with very hot water? My wife and I are at odds on this and have agreed to let you settle the argument. Hope to hear back soon. We could use some harmony.

–Ben

 

Dear Ben: While I’m not exactly a marriage counselor (though I did write How to Debt-Proof Your Marriage—just saying), I’m happy to help settle this little spat. You didn’t say who’s on which side of the debate, but I’m glad for that—wouldn’t want to be accused of playing favorites!

Now, if you’re in a hurry and just want the bottom line: No, it is never okay to pour cooking grease, oil, or fats (FOGs, for short) down the kitchen drain, no matter how hot the water.

I know, I know. It might seem like a small thing, but trust me on this. According to American Water (the biggest water utility company in the U.S.), when those FOGs go down the kitchen drain, they cool off and turn into a thick sludge that clings to your pipes. Dish soap and garbage disposals aren’t going to do anything to break this stuff down. Over time, it builds up and can cause nasty blockages, backups, and even overflow problems. And the odor? Let’s just say, it’s not the kind of scent you want wafting through the house.

And let’s not even get started on the cost of fixing it. According to Angi, the average price to clean out a grease-clogged drain is around $275. Ouch! That’s a bill you could’ve avoided by just tossing the grease in the trash instead of pouring it down kitchen drain.

So, what can you do instead?

• Scrape It: Let it cool, then use a rubber spatula to scrape the grease into the trash before washing the pan.
• Foil and Bowl Trick: Line a bowl with foil, pour the grease in, let it cool, and toss the wrapped foil—no mess!
• Plastic Bag Hack: Pour cooled grease into a resealable bag. Seal it up and toss it out.
• Old Can Method: Pour grease into an empty can, let it harden, and throw the whole can in the trash.

Trust me, these methods are way cheaper than calling the plumber later for dealing with the mess caused by trying to grease down kitchen drain.

I hope this clears things up and restores peace to your household. I hope this clears things up and restores peace to your household. In fact, I think I hear the faint sound of harmony floating through your home now. If you ever need more tips (or a little marriage counseling, just kidding!), I’m here. 

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What Are the Best Affordable Alternatives to Royal Velvet Sheets?

Dear Mary: I found you on Facebook during the pandemic and have loved Everyday Cheapskate daily email and blog ever since. I bought a set of bed sheets you recommended from JCPenney. I absolutely love them, so much that I wash them and put them right back on the bed. I would like to purchase a second set, but sadly, I can no longer find them. Are there any others brands with comparable quality, comfort, and pricing that you can recommend, please? I’m not interested in knit sheets, by the way, I like soft, white sheets (not crisp percale).

–Diane

 

Dear Diane: Thanks for finding me! I believe you are referring to JCPenney’s Royal Velvet (I agree, they were the best ever) a line of bed linens that were discontinued a couple of years ago. Now JCP has brought Royal Velvet sheets back but under a different brand name, Wrinkle Guard. 

JCPenney Wrinkle Guard 400TC Cotton Sheet Set

While the brand name may be not quite as elegant as “Royal Velvet,” Wrinkle Guard is an excellent replacement. These 100% cotton sheets have the sateen weave (smooth and silky like Royal Velvet) as opposed to percale weave, which produces a more crisp feel. 

I have prepared more details, links, and pricing on my picks for best inexpensive cotton bed sheets at here. Come visit!

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Why the Shark Navigator Lift-Away is a Fan Favorite

Dear Mary: While my gal pals were out shopping for clothes, you’d find me in Electrics, checking out the vacuum cleaners! An odd quirk, but [my love for vacuum cleaners] has trailed behind me all these years.

In my lifetime, I have owned a myriad of vacs, always striving to find The One. Canisters, uprights, what-have-you. I’ve had them all, but none hit the mark.

Then I read your column about the Shark Lift-Away Navigator and my ears actually came to a point. The “Aha moment!” in all its glory. My vac nose told me this is The One.

I collared my hubby, and drove, madly to Walmart urging John to drive faster!

Long story short, I don’t even put the thing away! There it sits, proudly, grandly and just within reach.

Thanks for the info recommendation, and even if I discovered my Great White this late in life, I am still smiling. It is everything you’ve spoken of and so much more. Very best regards.

–Elsa

 

Dear Elsa: I’m happy to know that you and your Shark are getting along so well. For the price I just don’t think you can beat this vacuum. Now that I think about it I don’t think it can be beat at any price. I’m with you. It is The One! Thanks for writing. Your letter made me smile.

Shark Upright Navigator Lift-Away

For my readers who are curious, I have written a lot about this vacuum  including my most embarrassing experience when Sharky and I first met. Simply type the keyword “Shark” into the search bar by clicking the blue magnifying glass icon, and you’ll find everything you need!

• MORE: How to Clean a Shark Vacuum and Why You Should

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What Can You Do When Your Credit Card Interest Rate Skyrockets?

Dear Mary: I am slowly paying off my debts but I got a shock today. One of my credit card companies (Company A) decided to sell my account to Company B. When I called they said Company A no longer carries accounts in my state. I accepted that. But Company B’s interest rate is 26.4 percent. Company A was 16 percent. They’ve changed my rate to 26.4 and not on just new purchases, but on my entire balance as well. Is that legal?

–Jon

 

Dear Jon: If you go back and reread the application you signed, in the fine print you will find something like “… terms of which may be changed at any time and for any reason.” While your chances of getting that interest rate reduced are slim, you do have a few options:

1. Negotiate: Call and in your most assertive-yet-courteous-manner suggest that you may take your business elsewhere unless they would like to lower the rate. Don’t hold your breath, but if your payment history is exemplary, they might do it to keep you as a customer.
2. Consider a Balance Transfer Credit Card: If that doesn’t work, consider moving the entire balance to a balance transfer credit card with a low interest rate, and ideally, no annual fee. Be sure to read the terms carefully, especially regarding any introductory period and potential fees. A good starting point for your search is IndexCreditCards.com, which compares a variety of balance transfer credit cards to help you find one with the best deal.
3. Pay Aggressively: If possible, increase your payments to reduce the balance faster, minimizing the impact of that higher interest rate. Every dollar saved in interest can be better used elsewhere.

Take control, weigh your options, and you’ll come out stronger financially.

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Are Government Grants the Answer to Buying a Home or Getting Out of Debt?

Dear Mary: I’ve heard that I can get government grants to help buy a home and also get out of debt. Is that right and should I bite the bullet and shuck out $40 to buy the book that shows how? I’ve checked the library but they don’t have it. What do you think?

–Jolene 

 

Dear Jolene: It sounds like you’ve been catching a little too much late-night TV—and those infomercials can be pretty convincing! But let’s break this down: if the government were handing out grants to pay off debt and buy homes, wouldn’t we all have mortgage-free houses and zero credit card bills by now? Sadly, this is a well-worn government grant scam. These folks prey on people’s hopes, promising “free money” and then walking away with your hard-earned cash—or in this case, your $40.

Here’s the truth: the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been chasing these government grant scams for years, but they’re like cockroaches—hard to squash entirely. Instead of falling for their traps, I’d recommend channeling your time and creativity into a proven method for tackling debt: work hard, repay what you owe, and don’t fall for the “easy money” schemes. Oh, and definitely get some rest!

For anyone interested, the FTC has a great resource on government grant scams with tips on how to avoid them and what to do if you’ve been targeted. Key takeaways include:

1. Grants don’t come out of the blue. Real grants require an application for a specific purpose. If someone contacts you about a “free government grant,” it’s a scam.
2. Never pay upfront fees. Real government grants don’t come with processing fees or require payments through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
3. Check your sources. The only official list of government grants is free at grants.gov.

If you’ve already been targeted or paid money, act fast! Contact your payment provider (whether it’s a bank, gift card company, or wire transfer service) and report the fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Remember, Jolene: getting out of debt the right way might take longer, but it’s worth it—and it won’t cost you $40.

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What Happened to KevianClean Leather Cleaner?

Dear Mary: I’ve been a fan of your leather care recommendations for years, especially your glowing praise of KevianClean. But recently I noticed it’s no longer available. Is there a replacement product you recommend? My leather seats and shoes are looking a little worse for wear, and I could use some guidance. Thanks!

–Dave

 

Dear Dave: Ah, KevianClean—how I’ve loved that product! Unfortunately, as you’ve noticed, it’s no longer available, which has left many of us in the lurch. But don’t worry, I’ve found a fantastic alternative that I’m thrilled to share with you–Armor All Leather Care Gel.

This product is an excellent substitute, and it’s much more affordable than the high-priced leather treatments we’ve seen elsewhere. It not only cleans but also conditions the leather, leaving it soft, supple, and protected—perfect for treating your car seats, shoes, or any leather item that needs a little TLC.

I’ve been using Armor All for about six months now, and I’ve been really impressed with how well it works. It’s just as effective as KevianClean, and I’m sure you’ll love how it brings back that fresh shine and feel to your leather!

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Got a Question?

I’m all ears! If you’d like to submit a question or share your thoughts, head over to the Ask Mary page for all the details. I’d love to hear from you!

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