Having a garbage disposal in your home is a convenient way to manage kitchen waste, helping to keep your bins less full and your kitchen smelling fresher. By effectively breaking down food scraps, it minimizes the risk of pests and contributes positively to your home’s cleanliness. However, to make sure it continues to function as it should, there are a few important things you don’t want to miss. Take these tips and practices to heart and keep your garbage disposal running as it should!
Don’t Fill Your Garbage Disposal With Tough Materials
Garbage disposals are designed to grind up food scraps, but they’re not suited for everything. Hard materials like bones, fruit pits, and non-food items can be particularly damaging. These materials can dull and even jam the blades, leading to costly repairs. It’s important to be mindful of what you put down your disposal to prevent damage. If you’re unsure whether an item can go in, it’s safer to err on the side of caution and dispose of it in the trash.
Avoid Starch Filled or Fibrous Materials
Starchy foods like pasta, rice, and potatoes can be problematic for your disposal. They tend to expand when exposed to water, leading to blockages within your system. Similarly, fibrous foods such as celery, corn husks, and onion skins can tangle around the blades of your disposal, preventing it from operating correctly. These materials can also contribute to clogs further down your plumbing. To maintain the efficiency of your garbage disposal, it’s best to compost these items or dispose of them in the trash.
Don’t Pour Grease in the Garbage Disposal
Grease and oil may seem harmless because they go down the drain as liquids, but as they cool, they solidify. This can coat the blades and the interior of your disposal, reducing its efficiency. Over time, these substances can build up, leading to stubborn blockages in your garbage disposal AND your home’s plumbing systems. Instead, pour grease into a disposable container and toss it in the trash. This simple habit can save you from future headaches and plumbing bills.
ONLY Put Food in the Garbage Disposal
It can be tempting to treat your garbage disposal as a catch-all for kitchen waste, but it’s important to remember that it is designed specifically for food scraps. Non-food items, such as plastic, metal, glass, or fabric, can damage the disposal mechanism. Even certain food-related items, like paper from butter wrappers or cigarette butts, should be avoided. Keeping a strict food-only policy will protect the longevity and proper functioning of your disposal.
Run Ice Cubes Through the Disposal to Sharpen It
One surprisingly effective method for keeping your garbage disposal’s blades sharp and clean is to occasionally grind ice cubes. The hard texture of the ice helps sharpen the blades, while the cold temperature helps solidify any grease or fat, making it easier for the disposal to break it down. Additionally, this process can dislodge any food particles that have become stuck, helping to clean out the unit. You can add a bit of rock salt to the ice cubes for added cleaning power.
Use Your Garbage Disposal Once a Week — Even if It’s Empty
Just like any mechanical device, garbage disposals benefit from regular use. Running it weekly helps prevent rust and corrosion, makes sure the parts remain moving, and prevents the accumulation of any substances that could cause odors or clogs. It’s a simple step that can significantly contribute to the maintenance of your disposal’s health, keeping it ready and effective when you need it.
Stick to Using Cold Water
While it might seem beneficial to use hot water to help break down food scraps, cold water is actually more beneficial when using your garbage disposal. Cold water keeps oils and fats in a solid state, allowing the disposal to break them up more effectively and preventing the motor from overheating. Make it a practice to run cold water during and a few seconds after use to help flush down the waste through the pipes.
Need Your Garbage Disposal Repaired?
Even with the best care, garbage disposals can encounter issues. They may become less efficient over time, emit unusual noises, or cease working altogether. When these problems arise, professional intervention can save you time and prevent further damage. Friend’s Plumbing offers specialized services in garbage disposal installation, repair, and more in Tampa Bay, FL. We do our best to make sure your system is running smoothly. With this expertise, it allows us to quickly diagnose and resolve any issues, helping to extend the life of your unit. Schedule your garbage disposal service today!
