This article is for those with garbage disposals who were left with a big mess after trying to dispose of something that seemed reasonable to pass through the garbage disposal or who had to dismantle the pipes to unclog or clean it.
You’d be surprised to hear, that not everything is okay to put down in the garbage disposal, even small things that may seem soft like potato peels. We’ve all been there… That’s why we’ve compiled a list of things NOT to put in the garbage disposal, and a few helpful tips to keep it in good running order.
Things not to put in your garbage disposal:
Eggshells– one or two might be fine on occasion, but don’t try to put a dozen in there at once! Potato peels- again, in moderation!
Bones– this is just common sense, but we’ve all been known to do things we shouldn’t. Corn husks, onion skins, and artichokes. The fibers can get tangled in the blades.
Grease– grease will solidify in the pipes when it gets cold. Cigarette butts, plastic, paper, or anything combustible.
Coffee grounds– They don’t hurt the disposal, but they’ll accumulate in the pipes.
Dos and Don’ts:
DON’T shove large amounts of food in the disposal all at once. Break it up first. Let the water run for about 15 seconds after the disposal Is off, and use cold water.
DON’T put expandable foods like pasta and rice. They expand in water and can expand in your pipes too!
DO put citrus peels and vinegar in there frequently to get rid of icky smells. And If it’s really bad, use Borax cleaner instead of drain cleaners. Drain cleaners can rust the blades on your disposal. Vinegar also helps kill bacteria.
DO run your garbage disposal frequently to avoid rust and nasty odors.
DON’T use your fingers to pull out clogged matter; use pliers or tongs.
DON’T use bleach or commercial drain cleaner to try unclogging your disposer.
DO try untangling any fibers wrapped around your disposer blade by using the wrench that came with your unit. With that tool, you simply turn the nut at the base of the unit, then press the small red reset button in the center and flip the switch to restart.
DO grind ice! it helps keep the blades sharp.
Lastly, If your disposal isn’t working, most times just hitting the reset button will do the trick!
Just remember not to ever try to repair an electrical device when it’s plugged into power. If you’re in doubt, give us a call, we’re happy to help!
