Garbage disposal is a convenient way to handle food waste. Proper care will help keep your garbage disposal functioning properly for years to come. Most problems with your garbage disposal occur over time, so it’s not too late to begin better garbage disposal habits.
Tips for maintaining your garbage disposal include:
- Don’t put grease in your disposal
- Put the right foods in at the correct size
- Use water every time
- Clean the disposal
- Follow safety precautions
- Don’t Put Grease in Your Disposal
You probably know that you should only put food scraps down the garbage disposal. However, there are some foods that you should avoid. One of the most surprising for many people is grease. A Consumer Reports survey found that 1/3 of consumers put oil down their disposal. However, grease is responsible for 70% of sewer overflows. Grease goes through the removal itself without a problem, but it can clog up the drain pipes as it solidifies. Heavy dairy products, including ice cream, heavy cream, and butter, should also be avoided.
Put the Right Foods in at the Right Size
You’ll need to avoid hard or fibrous foods. Eggshells, nuts, onion peels, eggshells, and celery stalks should be avoided. If it’s too hard to chew or has fibers that can get tangled in the blades, don’t put it at your disposal. You should also put smaller pieces in the disposal. Large pieces are harder to grind and puts more strain on your disposal. Chop large amounts into smaller ones before using your disposal.
Use Water Every Time You Run the Garbage Disposal
Turn the water on each time you use the disposal. Leave the water running until you hear the grinding turn to a soft whir, and let it run another 20 seconds before turning it off. This flushes food particles away from the disposal and helps keep your pipes clear. Hot water won’t hurt the disposal parts, but cold water is recommended because hot water will liquefy any grease. Small amounts of grease from cooked foods are sometimes unavoidable, and this can stick to the blades if you use hot water.
Clean the Disposal
Instead of using harsh chemicals, which can get into the air or your face when you turn the disposal on, there’s a simple way to clean your disposal. To clean and sharpen the blades:
- Fill the disposal with ice cubes.
- Add one cup of rock salt.
- Run the disposal for at least one minute. The abrasive action will remove any particles stuck inside the disposal.
- For further cleaning and disinfecting, add one cup of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda.
This creates a chemical reaction that will kill bacteria without dangerous chemicals.
Garbage disposals are bound to give off an odor from bacteria or food particles occasionally. Proper maintenance and cleaning help, but there’s an easy way to eliminate odors when they do arise. Run warm water through the disposal and add lemons. The lemons have antibacterial properties and will also provide a clean citrus smell.
Follow Safety Precautions
If you experience a jam, use the provided Allen wrench to turn the blades manually. If you need to remove something from the disposal, be sure that the unit is unplugged. Use pliers or a hanger. Never put your hand in the disposal, even if it is off. It’s better to call a professional to fix your disposal than to make a trip to the er for your hand. If the disposal is jammed, removing what’s causing the jam can cause the blades to spring forward.
