Your garbage disposal is a handy kitchen tool, perfect for getting rid of food waste and keeping your sink clean. However, while convenient, improperly using your garbage disposal can lead to clogs, damage, and expensive repairs. To ensure your disposal runs efficiently for years to come, it’s essential to understand the do’s and don’ts of proper usage.
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The Do’s of Using Your Garbage Disposal
1. Use Cold Water
Always run cold water while operating your garbage disposal. Cold water helps solidify greasy or fatty substances, preventing them from sticking to your disposal blades or clogging the pipes. By flushing your system with cold water, you’re also aiding the grinding process, making it easier for food particles to move through the drain.
2. Clean It Regularly
Keep your garbage disposal clean to avoid unpleasant odors and bacterial buildup. A simple cleaning method involves grinding small, biodegradable items such as citrus peels or using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. After the grinding cycle is complete, rinse it thoroughly with cold water to wash away any residue.
3. Feed Food Waste Gradually
Avoid overwhelming your garbage disposal by feeding it food waste in small amounts. Gradual feeding helps prevent jams and ensures the disposal grinds food thoroughly. Give the system enough time to process scraps before adding anything new.
4. Know What’s Safe to Grind
Stick to grinding soft food scraps like fruit peels, cooked vegetables, or small pieces of meat. Lightweight, biodegradable food items are easily handled by your disposal and won’t damage the blades or the motor.
The Don’ts of Using Your Garbage Disposal
1. Don’t Put Non-Food Items or Hard Substances
Your garbage disposal isn’t meant to replace your trash can. Avoid tossing non-food items, plastic, glass, or metal into the unit, as they can severely damage the blades and motor. Hard substances like animal bones, fruit pits, or nuts should also never be put into the disposal – these are too tough to grind and can lead to significant wear and tear.
2. Don’t Pour Grease, Oil, or Fat Down the Drain
While it may seem harmless, grease, oil, and fat are some of the biggest culprits for clogged pipes. These substances build up over time, sticking to the blades and inner walls of the drain. Always discard greasy substances in a trash can or heatproof container instead.
3. Don’t Ignore Strange Noises or Smells
If you notice odd noises, reduced grinding efficiency, or foul smells coming from your garbage disposal, don’t ignore them. Such signs could point to a clog, jammed blades, or damage to the unit. Promptly address these issues by consulting a professional, rather than continuing to use the disposal at the risk of worsening the problem.
Why Proper Maintenance Matters
Using your garbage disposal correctly not only prolongs its lifespan but also saves you from costly repairs and plumber visits. Well-maintained disposals perform better, reduce sink odors, and make disposing of food waste a breeze.
However, even with the best care, your disposal may encounter problems due to wear and tear over time. If your unit stops functioning or develops persistent issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional garbage disposal service. Experts can diagnose the problem and make repairs, getting your unit back to running like new.
