Doing dishes isn't always the most pleasant of tasks, and it can be made even more unpleasant by a kitchen drain clog. If you remember a few helpful tips while you're washing dishes, however, you can help prevent clogs and the need to contact a drain cleaning service.

1. Scrape Dishes Well

First of all, make sure that you scrape all of your dishes really well before washing them, whether you are washing them by hand in the sink or if you are putting them in the dishwasher. Even small amounts of food can cause a big problem; for example, small pieces of rice or pasta might not seem like a big deal and might go down the drain easily, but they can cause clogs if you aren't careful because they can swell up when wet and can clump together.

2. Pour Grease in a Separate Container

If your plates or pots and pans are greasy, make sure that you pour the grease in a different container before washing dishes. Many people know that they should dispose of large amounts of cooking grease rather than pouring it down the drain, but even small amounts of grease can cause a problem in your drain, especially if you fail to adequately scrape your pans on a regular basis. Before dunking your cooking pans in the dish water, make sure that you scrape away as much of the grease as possible into a container. After it has cooled, you can safely throw it away.

3. Run Your Garbage Disposal Frequently

Don't let food debris build up in your garbage disposal; instead, run it frequently to get rid of food scraps. This will make it easier for your septic system to handle the debris coming from the garbage disposal, and it can also help cut down on odors that might otherwise build up in your kitchen from the leftover food. It will also put less of a strain on your garbage disposal if you run it often, which can help extend the lifespan of your disposal.

4. Run Hot Water After You're Finished

After you have finished washing dishes -- or after you have finished rinsing them before putting them in the dishwasher -- take the time to let the hot water run down the drain for a few seconds. This will help wash away any food debris that might have ended up in your sink, which can help prevent clogs. After washing a particularly grimy set of dishes, it can be helpful to squirt a small amount of dish soap down the drain with the water; the liquid detergent can serve as a lubricant to help debris slide down the drain.

As you can see, there are a few things that you should remember when washing dishes if you want to prevent kitchen drain clogs. Give these four tips a try, and you are sure to cut down on the clogs that you have to deal with in this part of your home.