If your house has a garbage disposal, you may experience issues if you do not properly use and maintain it. Garbage disposals can be tricky, but by following these simple rules, your garbage disposal will not experience any issues. If you do find yourself with garbage disposal repairs, contact Eco Plumbers today for assistance.
What You Should Do
There are many ways that you can keep your garbage disposal running properly. First, you should run it regularly to prevent corrosion and rust, as well as the accumulation of any food or other items that may prevent it from running. Use a small amount of dish soap and cold water while doing your dishes; this causes oil and grease to become solid, enabling it to be cut up by the disposal.
Contrary to popular belief, you can grind some hard items in your disposal. For example, putting small pits from fruit, eggshells, or small bones down the disposal will scour the unit. Peelings from oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruit will also decrease bad smells. Finally, you should always cut up any large items before placing them in the disposal.
What You Should Never Do
The main rule when determining what you can put down the garbage disposal is that you shouldn’t grind any food that is not biodegradable. Items that are not food will cause damage to both the motor and blade. Never place glass, metal, paper, plastic, cigarette butts, or combustible items in the garbage disposal. You should also never use hot water along with the garbage disposal, and you should avoid grinding fibrous materials, including onion skins, corn husks, celery stalks, and artichokes. Finally, do not pour fat, grease or oil into the disposal because it will cause a clog.
Along with avoiding certain items, there are other things you should never do with your garbage disposal. You should never switch off the water or disposal until it is finished, and you should always let water continue to run for 15 seconds after turning off the motor. Potato peels, expandable food such as pasta and rice, and large quantities of food will all cause issues with your garbage disposal. Finally, harsh chemicals, coffee grounds, and large bones are also to be avoided.
How to Keep It Clean
There are a few ways that you can keep your garbage disposal clean and free of smells. You can place ice cubes in the disposal to scour the inside and clean off the edges of your blades. Frozen cubes of vinegar can also help with smells, as can orange or lemon peels. For odors that are resistant, try baking soda or Borax, which is a safer cleaning product than harsh chemicals.
Contact Eco Plumbers
If you are having issues with your garbage disposal, The Eco Plumbers can help. We are experienced in providing not only an immediate fix, but also solutions to the larger issues causing your plumbing problems. Contact us today to resolve any garbage disposal troubles, and follow the tips and advice above to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly.
