A garbage disposal! It’s basically magic! You’ve never had one before, and you’re so excited to dispose of all those leftover food items you’d otherwise toss in the trash can. But before you do, it’s important to know what can be sent into ground oblivion — citrus rinds, ice, scraps of meat — and what shouldn’t. My Plumber Plus gives you all the information you need to keep your kitchen and home running smoothly.
What Not to Put in Your Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is designed to handle certain food scraps, but it’s not a catch-all solution for kitchen waste. Putting the wrong items down the drain can lead to clogs, dull blades, and even costly plumbing repairs. Knowing what not to put down your garbage disposal is key to keeping your system running efficiently and avoiding unnecessary damage.
Examples of what not to put down your garbage disposal include:
- Coffee grounds: Leftover morning fuel. They seem innocuous, but wet coffee grounds will turn into sludge in your pipes. Add them to your compost heap instead.
- Celery: The stringy bits will wind around garbage disposal blades, causing mechanical issues.
- Peach pits: Take a knife to your leftover peach pit, and what happens? Nothing, that’s what. Your garbage disposal won’t fare much better.
- Pasta: Pasta and other grains (Think rice and couscous, etc.) swell when exposed to water. Putting that leftover spaghetti down the drain, with or without a disposal, will cause a major clog.
- Egg shells: Some say you can, some say you can’t. It’s probably better that you compost the egg shells instead. The mucous membrane lining the egg can gum up or otherwise damage the spinning blades.
- Bones: They’re not going anywhere. Certainly not down the drain pipe.
- Grease: Hot grease is liquid, but when cool, it congeals into a solid. That’s just gross. What you’ll have in the long run is a greasy, smelly sink and pipes so clogged you’ll have to call a plumber.
While it may be tempting to let your garbage disposal handle everything, avoiding these common problem items can significantly extend its lifespan and protect your plumbing system. When in doubt, it’s always better to throw questionable items in the trash or compost them instead. Practicing good disposal habits will help prevent clogs, reduce odors, and keep your kitchen running smoothly.
What Can You Put in a Garbage Disposal?
While there are plenty of items you should avoid, your garbage disposal is still a useful tool for handling everyday food waste. When used properly, it can help reduce trash buildup and keep your kitchen cleaner. The key is to stick to softer, biodegradable materials that break down easily and won’t put unnecessary strain on your system.
Safe items you can typically put in a garbage disposal include:
- Small food scraps from meals
- Soft fruits and vegetables, like bananas or cooked produce
- Citrus peels in small amounts to help freshen odors
- Ice cubes to help clean and sharpen the blades
- Small amounts of cooked meat scraps
Using your garbage disposal for these types of materials can help maintain efficiency and prevent buildup inside the unit. However, moderation is important—overloading your disposal, even with safe items, can still lead to clogs or reduced performance. To keep your system in top shape, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential, which we’ll cover next.
How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal
Keeping your disposal clean is essential for preventing odors and maintaining performance. To properly clean a garbage disposal, start by turning off the unit and running cold water to flush out any loose debris. For a deeper clean, pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain and let it sit for several minutes before rinsing with hot water. This helps break down buildup and eliminate lingering smells inside the unit.
If you want to thoroughly clean out your garbage disposal, you can also grind a few ice cubes to help dislodge any stuck particles, then lightly scrub the blades. Adding small pieces of citrus peel, such as lemon or orange, can help freshen the disposal and leave your sink smelling clean. Just be sure to use citrus in moderation.
Regular maintenance goes a long way in keeping your disposal working efficiently. Taking a few minutes every week to clean a garbage disposal can help prevent clogs, reduce wear on the system, and extend its overall lifespan.
Address All Plumbing Concerns With My Plumber Plus
Keep your garbage disposal (and, with it, your pipes and kitchen sink) in tip-top working order, and clean it, too! My Plumber Plus is here to provide expert plumbing solutions to keep your kitchen running smoothly. Experiencing a garbage disposal emergency?
Contact My Plumber Plus for garbage disposal maintenance service today!