If your house is going to be filled with friends and family for the holidays, you'll probably be doing a lot of cooking and eating. That means you'll also be doing a lot of dishes. Unfortunately, with all the cooking and cleaning, you could end up with some serious clogs, especially if grease is washed down the drains. The best way to prevent grease clogs is to find something else to take some preventative measures. To help ensure that you don't end up dealing with grease clogs while you have guests in for the holidays, here are four steps you should take to protect your drains.

1. Have a Grease Jar Handy

If you've got people helping you clean the kitchen, you can't always tell what they're pouring down the drain. Unfortunately, that means they could be sending grease down into the drains. To prevent that from happening, you should be prepared in advance. Simply empty a glass jar and leave it on the counter next to the kitchen sink. If you want, you can use a permanent marker to write "grease jar" on the front of it. Have your guests pour the grease into the jar. When it's filled, place a lid on it, and toss it in the trash.

2. Wait Until the Grease Hardens

If you've got greasy pans and casserole dishes, go ahead and let them sit for a while. If you wash them immediately, you're going to have a lot of greasy residue being rinsed down the drain. However, if you wait until the grease has had a chance to harden or congeal, you'll be able to use a paper towel to wipe the grease into the trash can and then wash the dish as usual. You'll avoid putting any greasy food debris into the drains.

3. Flush the Drains with Vinegar

With all the guests coming and going from your kitchen, it's not always possible to avoid a few clogged drains. If your drains get clogged, go ahead and flush them out with some vinegar and baking soda. First, pour about a cup of baking soda into the drain and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Next, pour two cups of vinegar down the drain and watch it foam. The foaming action is a sign that your drains are being cleaned. After the drain has stopped foaming, flush it with a pan of boiling water. The baking soda and vinegar will loosen up the grease and grime, and the boiling water will wash it away.

4. Have Your Drains Cleaned

If you've had a lot of house guests over the holidays, your drains might need some tender loving care, especially if they're acting a bit sluggish. Contact your local plumber, like All American Construction & Plumbing, and have them come out to clean your drains. That way, you won't need to worry about stubborn clogs during the new year.