Garbage Disposal Do’s & Don’ts
A garbage disposal is a handy tool in your kitchen. Garbage disposals help grind up any leftover food bits so they are less likely to clog your drain. However, they can be a little finicky. There are a few do’s and don’ts to be aware of to prolong the life of your garbage disposal and help keep your drains running smoothly.
Garbage Disposal Do’s
Run Your Garbage Disposal Regularly
When you don’t use your garbage disposal regularly it can be susceptible to corrosion and rust. Regular use keeps the impellers moving which prevents that from happening.
Keep Your it Clean
One of the best ways to keep your garbage disposal running properly is to keep it clean. The easiest way to keep up with that, is to run a little bit of dish soap in it after every use. Make sure that all the food has finished grinding up before doing that.
Do Cut Large Items
Large items need to be cut into smaller pieces before going down the garbage disposal. However, it is probably a better idea to just throw things away in the trash can. It are not meant to be used as a trash can.
Use Citrus Rinds
Citrus rinds are great to toss into your garbage disposal and does a great job at cleaning up the stuck food in it. It also helps freshen up any unsavory smells coming from it.
Garbage Disposal Don’ts
Don’t Stress over Water Temperature
Some experts swear by only using hot water to melt the grease that is in your garbage disposal and drain. Others swear by only using cold water because it will be easy for the grease to be carried away. Either of them don’t really make too much of a difference. Hot water will melt the grease but the grease will solidify again.
Things to Avoid Putting in your Garbage Disposal
- Grease, oil, fat
- Plastic, glass or metal
- Fibrous things like celery or corn on the cob
- Starchy foods or foods that expand in water like pasta or rice
- Coffee (grounds or whole beans)
- Anything non biodegradable
- Drain cleaners or harsh chemicals
When you put any of these down your drain you are risking clogs in your drains.
Don’t Try to Sharpen the Blades
Firstly, there aren’t actually any blades in a garbage disposal. Impellers are blunt objects that help grind up anything you put there. Putting ice in it might dislodge the bits that are stuck, but it won’t actually sharpen anything.
Don’t Turn it Off too Soon
Ensure that all the food has completed grinding, and then let the water run for an extra 15 seconds. This step will ensure that all the food is cleared from the it reducing the risk of anything getting stuck.
Don’t Put Too Much In
Your garbage disposal is not meant to be a trash can. It’s meant to handle the small bits of food leftover after you’ve scraped your plate. If you use it as a trash can you will have a lot of issues with clogs and it will wear down a lot quicker.
Final Thoughts
With all these do’s and don’ts you will be able to keep your garbage disposal working efficiently for you. It is a useful tool in your kitchen, with the proper upkeep it will keep working for a while.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need plumbing help. We will immediately handle any emergency plumbing, drain, and water damage problem, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines
