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With the New Year now underway, some households may be left with half empty bottles lingering in cupboards.(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\nIrish households have been issued a renewed warning this January about leftover Baileys.With the New Year now underway, some households may be left with half empty bottles lingering in cupboards.(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Baileys is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks<\/a> in Irish households over the Christmas period. Whether enjoyed over ice, stirred into coffee or used in festive desserts, it has long been a staple of festive indulgence in many homes.<\/p>\n But with the New Year now underway<\/a>, some households may be left with half empty bottles lingering in cupboards. Baileys is usually not a drink that can be consumed in large quantities, and once opened it doesn’t have a long shelf life. Manufacturers recommend it is consumed within six months, meaning leftovers can quickly go to waste.<\/p>\n And with thousands of people taking part in Dry January, a serious warning has been issued to anyone tempted to dispose of unwanted alcohol by pouring it down the sink.<\/p>\n The warning, first shared ahead of Christmas<\/a>, has now been extended into the post festive period. Experts say cream liqueurs such as Baileys can “wreak havoc” on household plumbing.<\/p>\n According to MyBuilder.com<\/a>, pouring Baileys down the sink is a surprisingly common post Christmas mistake<\/a>. They explained: “Cream liqueur drinks, such as the popular Christmas favourite, Baileys, can be a problem for your plumbing at Christmas. While it may be delicious to drink, it doesn’t keep for long, and often ends up down the sink.<\/p>\n “However, this sort of beverage should never be disposed of in this way. Cream liqueurs have a large fat content, and as such falls into the category of FOG (Fats, Oils, and Greases). FOG should never go down the sink, as it sticks to pipes and can cause blockages. It’s also what’s responsible for ‘fatbergs’ in our sewers.”<\/p>\n Kevin Began, Director Blockbuster Drainage<\/a>, previously explained to Mirror UK<\/a> that Baileys can “collate in the ‘U’ bend under the sink due to its thick consistency and prevent liquid from passing through to the external drainage”.<\/p>\n He advises that any unwanted Baileys should instead be poured into a “sealable container and disposed of in the general waste bin”.<\/p>\n Experts also warn that hot cooking fats, oils and sauces should never be poured down the drain, as they can harden inside pipes and lead to costly blockages.<\/p>\n