Proper Garbage Disposal Use and Maintenance

Garbage disposals make modern life more convenient by breaking up food wastes so they can be flushed through your plumbing after meals. However, even these appliances cannot handle all types of food wastes. Putting some types of food down your disposal can damage the appliance or cause a plumbing clog that will back up your sink. Learning how to use and maintain your garbage disposal properly can help to prevent problems so you can enjoy this appliance for years to come.

How to Use Your Garbage Disposal

Although using your disposal is quite easy, there are a few tips that can enhance its operation and maintain its function. Always run cold water while using your disposal to prevent grease or fat clogs. Use your disposal on a regular basis—infrequent use can allow food debris to remain in the drain, promoting bacterial growth and gumming up the blades. Never try to grind anything in the disposal that is not food waste—plastics, metals, glass, and other items could damage the appliance and cause injury if placed down the disposal. It’s important to recognize that not all food wastes can go down your disposal, either. Bones, seeds, and hard fruit rinds can damage the blades. Rice, pasta, and instant “just add water” foods can expand inside your disposal or drain, causing clogs. Other foods you should avoid putting down the disposal include eggshells, coffee grounds, and cooking grease or fats. Grease and fat may be liquid while hot, but they can cool and congeal inside your drain or your pipes to cause stubborn clogs. These food wastes should be kept in a jar or coffee tin and disposed of with your solid garbage.

How to Maintain Your Garbage Disposal

Maintaining your garbage disposal will ensure it remains clean and functioning properly for years to come. To clean the disposal, place a few ice cubes down the drain. Follow with a cup of rock salt or vinegar, then run cold water and turn on the disposal for 10-15 seconds. This will clean any debris off the blades and help to sharpen them. You can flush the drain and plumbing line running from your disposal by plugging the drain and filling your sink with two to four inches of cold water. Unplug the drain and run your disposal, allowing it to clear all the water from your sink. This action will flush away any removing food debris to clear the line. To keep your disposal clean, use a sponge and dish soap to wipe off the drain’s rubber components regularly to prevent bacterial growth. You can also place a few drops of dishwashing liquid down the drain and run your disposal with cold water after washing the dishes to keep the unit clean. To freshen your disposal and prevent foul odors, grind a few orange or lemon peels inside your disposal on a regular basis.

Are you having trouble with your disposal, refrigerator, dishwasher, or any other home appliance? Visit our website for more information about our expert appliance repair services in Portland and Vancouver. You can find additional maintenance and cleaning tips for your appliances by clicking through the articles on our blog.