How to Take Good Care of Your Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal often gets overlooked until it starts acting up. While it’s designed to handle food scraps, regular maintenance, and mindful use can make a huge difference in its longevity and efficiency. A few simple habits—like being careful about what goes down the drain and ensuring it’s properly maintained—can help avoid clogs, bad odors, and unnecessary repairs. By following a few easy steps, the garbage disposal will continue to work effortlessly without breaking down unexpectedly.
Be Careful What Goes Down the Disposal
Despite its name, garbage disposal isn’t a catch-all for every type of waste. Certain food scraps and household items can damage the system, causing clogs, dulling the blades, or shortening the lifespan of the disposal altogether. With a bit of caution, it’s possible to avoid some of the most common disposal problems.
Fibrous foods like celery, corn husks, and onion skins can wrap around the blades, jamming the motor and potentially causing damage. Starchy stuff such as pasta, rice, and potatoes expand when they get wet, turning into a sticky mess that clogs the drain and can back everything up.
Coffee grounds and eggshells might seem harmless, but they can pile up over time, creating a thick sludge that leads to stubborn blockages. Also, fats, oils, and grease should definitely stay out of the disposal since they can harden in the pipes and cause serious plumbing headaches later on.
On the other hand, some food scraps are more disposal-friendly. Soft foods, citrus peels, and small bits of cooked meat can usually be processed without any problems. Running cold water while using the disposal, along with a quick rinse afterward, helps prevent food residue from building up. Being mindful of what goes down the drain will help the disposal continue running smoothly and keep repair costs at bay.
Use Cold Water and Ice
A garbage disposal works hard, but a little TLC can keep it in top shape. Running cold water while using the disposal prevents grease from melting and coating the pipes, which can lead to stubborn blockages. Cold water keeps fats solid, allowing the disposal to grind them up and flush them away properly.
Ice cubes add an extra level of care. Tossing in a few cubes occasionally helps break up food buildup and clear residue. For a fresh scent, freeze vinegar or citrus peels in ice cubes before grinding them up. A well-maintained disposal runs more efficiently, lasts longer, and reduces the risk of expensive repairs.
Avoid Putting Too Much Down the Disposal at Once
Garbage disposals aren’t built to handle large amounts of food waste at once. Overloading the unit can cause clogs, dull the blades, and strain the motor. A little patience goes a long way.
Larger scraps—like vegetable skins, citrus rinds, and small bones—should be cut into smaller pieces and fed gradually into the disposal. Starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta, and rice should be added sparingly, as they expand with water and can create a thick sludge that blocks the drain.
A steady, controlled process, combined with a constant stream of cold water, ensures everything grinds properly. This simple habit reduces blockages and extends the disposal’s lifespan.
About Force Plumbing & Heating LLC
Force Plumbing & Heating LLC provides expert plumbing, heating, and drain cleaning in Central Jersey. Backed by over a decade of experience, award-winning service, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, every job is handled with care and expertise. Call today for expert garbage disposal service in Hazlet, NJ!
