Garbage Disposal Maintenance: Dos, Don’ts, & More Tips

May 22, 2024

Food scraps, peels, bones, oils, and rice—keeping track of what is safe for your garbage disposal and what isn’t can indeed be a bit confusing. There are a lot of rules to remember when using this kitchen appliance. It is crucial, though, that you follow certain guidelines when it comes to your garbage disposal. Follow along as we discuss the dos and don’ts of garbage disposal maintenance as well as some handy cleaning and troubleshooting tips.

Garbage Disposal Dos

When it comes to your garbage disposal, there are many important things to do to help keep it properly maintained and working efficiently. This appliance is a sanitary and convenient solution to dispose of food waste and effectively eliminate unwanted odors that would otherwise linger in your household. Below is a list of dos that you can follow to optimally maintain your garbage disposal:

Do run it regularly: Turning your disposal on at least once a day helps keep it functional, prevents the blades from rusting, and flushes out food waste that may be stuck. If you don’t have any food waste to grind, just pour some cold water or ice cubes down the disposal.

Do use cold water: As a general rule, you should run cold water while you are using your garbage disposal. Cold water will help solidify fat or grease, which makes it easier to chop up and flush away. It also helps keep the blades cool and prevents them from overheating.

Do grind citrus peels: If you smell an unpleasant odor coming from your sink, it is more than likely your garbage disposal. Grabbing a piece of citrus fruit, citrus peels, or citrus juice and running it through the disposal will help take away those unwanted odors and freshen up your garbage disposal.

Do cut food into small pieces: The food you are putting down your garbage disposal should be small in size. This will reduce the risk of jams and ensure smoother operation.

Do grind ice cubes: Every now and then, grinding up a few ice cubes in the disposal will help to clean the blades and remove any buildup.

Do clean on a regular basis: Cleaning your garbage disposal on a regular basis will help remove any odor or residue. An effective method for cleaning is to use a simple mixture of ice cubes and baking soda or vinegar.

Safe foods: Here are some foods that are fairly safe to go down the garbage disposal: fruit scraps, ice cubes, soft food leftovers, veggie scraps, dairy products, and stale bread.

Garbage Disposal Don’ts

Do this and do that, but what about the don’ts of maintaining your garbage disposal? Knowing the don’ts is just as important as learning the dos when using your disposal. You want your appliance to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. By avoiding certain practices, you can keep your garbage disposal in optimal health. Below, we have listed a few things to avoid when it comes to using your disposal.

Don’t use hot water: When used regularly, hot water can do more harm than good in your garbage disposal. It can melt any fat or grease still inside, which can lead to clogging and unpleasant odors. Hot water is still safe to use occasionally, especially for certain cleaning methods. More on that below.

Don’t dump fibrous foods: Because of their consistency, foods like celery, corn husks, and onions can lead to a clog or jam in your disposal. Avoid putting them in your garbage disposal.

Don’t overload: Giving your disposal too much food waste at once can cause it to jam and overload. Instead, try to gradually feed small amounts into the appliance to prevent straining its operation.

Don’t dump hard materials: Hard items such as fruit pits, bones, and other large chunks of food can potentially destroy your garbage disposal. They can cause jams, damage to the blades, and even put strain on the motor. This can lead to costly repairs or the need for replacement.

Don’t use chemical drain cleaners: While they may help clear clogs, these chemicals can cling to your disposal and cause lasting damage if used regularly. Learn more about safe cleaning methods for your garbage disposal below.

Unsafe foods: Here are a few foods that should never go in your garbage disposal: banana peels, pasta, rice, potatoes, cooking oil, coffee grounds, and eggshells.

How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Cleaning your garbage disposal regularly will keep it in good working order, prevent accumulation of food waste, and stop foul odors in their tracks. In addition to grinding ice cubes and citrus peels, here are some other easy cleaning methods you can use:

Flush: Put the stopper in your sink and fill it about halfway with water and a little dish soap. Then remove the stopper, turn the disposal on, and let the soapy water drain through the disposal. This will help flush out debris and residue from your disposal.
Scrub: Make sure your disposal is turned off, then apply an ample amount of anti-grease dish soap to a long-handled scrub brush. Use the brush to scrub away food scraps and grease from any surface you can safely reach. Don’t forget to scrub the underside of the rubber splash guard, which is a common place for food to stick. You may want to turn off power completely to your disposal while doing this as an extra safety measure.
Baking soda & vinegar: First, pour half a cup of baking soda down your disposal, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Let this mixture sit for about ten minutes, then rinse it down with hot water.

Troubleshooting Tips

Even well-maintained garbage disposals may run into issues from time to time. Here are some things you can try if your garbage disposal isn’t working:

Check the power: Make sure your disposal is plugged in and check your home’s electrical panel for a tripped circuit breaker. Check the wiring to your disposal and in the wall switch for loose connections. You can then press your disposal’s reset button to restore power to the unit.
Rotate the blades: If your disposal is humming but not spinning, the impeller is probably jammed. Turn off the power to your unit and use a hex wrench to manually rotate the blades. Many garbage disposals come with a hex wrench for this express purpose.
Remove clogs: If something large has clogged your disposal, you can often remove it with tongs or pliers. Turn off the power to the disposal and use a flashlight to try to locate the culprit. If you can’t see the item or reach it with tongs, try using a sink plunger to dislodge the clog. If neither of these methods works, call a professional plumber for help.

Contact Hanson’s Plumbing & Heating

Adhering to the dos and don’ts of garbage disposal maintenance can help prolong the lifespan of your appliance and cut down on any costly repairs. By following our guidelines, like running cold (not hot) water, avoiding fibrous materials, and cleaning it regularly, you can keep your garbage disposal running in optimal condition. If your garbage disposal isn’t working or emits a terrible smell, it may indicate a problem. The experts at Hanson’s Plumbing & Heating can help diagnose and resolve any issues. Contact us today to inspect or repair your garbage disposal!