Tips for maintaining a garbage disposal
If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, it’s important to know how to maintain it properly to avoid any clogging or malfunctioning issues. A garbage disposal helps to break down food waste into smaller particles and prevents them from entering your pipes. Here are some useful tips to keep your garbage disposal in good condition for years to come.
Run cold water while using the garbage disposal
When using the garbage disposal, always remember to run cold water throughout the process. Cold water helps to solidify any grease or oils in the disposal, allowing it to be broken down more easily. Additionally, cold water helps to prevent overheating of the motor, which can happen if hot water is used. It’s recommended to run the cold water for about 30 seconds before and after using the garbage disposal.
Avoid putting certain foods down the disposal
Although a garbage disposal can handle many food items, there are certain things that should never be put down it. These include large bones, fruit pits, coffee grounds, eggshells, and fibrous vegetables like celery. These items can cause damage to the blades or clog the pipes. It’s important to dispose of these items in the trash or compost instead.
Clean your disposal regularly
To keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh and functioning properly, it’s important to clean it regularly. One way to clean the disposal is by pouring a mixture of vinegar and baking soda down the drain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then run cold water and turn on the disposal. Another method is to grind ice cubes in the disposal to remove any buildup or residue. You can also use citrus peels to freshen up the disposal.
Use the disposal regularly
Believe it or not, but using the garbage disposal regularly can actually help to keep it in better shape. Running it with small amounts of food waste prevents it from becoming rusty or corroded. It also helps to prevent any foul odors from developing. If you don’t use the disposal often, it’s more likely to get clogged or malfunction when used.
Don’t overload the disposal
It’s important to remember that a garbage disposal is not meant to handle large quantities of food waste in one go. To prevent clogging or jamming, avoid putting too much food down the disposal at once. Instead, feed it small amounts of food and allow it to break it down before adding more. This will ensure that the disposal can work efficiently and avoid any potential damage.