The world is divided into two types of people; those who respect and treat their garbage disposals with kindness, and those who abuse their garbage disposals. Our garbage disposals are an essential part of after meal cleanups; however, many of us do not treat them properly, resulting in messy and often expensive repairs. While many garbage disposal abusers are maliciously stuffing their drains, often it is simple ignorance and misinformation that is to blame. For the latter, we offer some tips that may extend the life of your disposal, thus forming a bond with man and machine that will last for years to come.
Garbage disposals have chewed up all kinds of things throughout history. Whether it be the traditional uneaten food scraps, egg shells, six month old milk, or even the deceased family goldfish; there are no limits to the things people will stick in their disposals. What may come as a shock to many is the fact that their disposals are not mini-trash incinerators. Here are some do’s and do-not’s when it comes to garbage disposal usage:
Use running water! As obvious as this sounds, you should never run your disposal without water. Water prevents your disposals motor from burning up, while also flushing whatever you’re disposing of down the drain. Always shut off the disposal first, and then allow the water to run for several seconds after you have switched it off. This will ensure that everything has gone down the pipes, preventing buildup that may cause a clogged drain, or at the very least, a smelly one.
Use cold water. This is a common misconception, with many of us thinking that hot water should be used. Cold water allows the fats and oils found in the food particles to solidify, thus making it easier for your disposal blades to break it up properly. Hot water causes the same greases and fats to build up further down the line where they can cause your pipes to clog.
Feed your disposal some dish soap. Periodically pouring a small amount of dish soap down your disposal will help break up any left behind particles, keeping it clean and pleasant smelling. Simply run cold water while also running the disposal for a few seconds, and add a squirt of dish soap down its throat.
Feel free to toss those eggshells down the drain. Eggshells and even small bones, such as fish and chicken bones actually act as scrubbers that essentially scour the inside of your disposal when you run it. This will help keep it clean and debris free. Never put metal, plastic, or glass in your disposal.
Be mindful of the foods you put in your disposal. While most food particles will safely make their way down the drain, many can hinder the flow. Potato peels, for instance, are starchy; and when grinded, form a sort of paste that can cause the blades to stick. The same goes for fibrous foods that can bind the blades up. Celery, artichoke, and corn husks are a few examples that should be avoided. Foods that expand, such as rice and pastas, are also a bad idea to put down your drain.
Never use harsh chemicals to clean your disposal. This includes bleach, which can erode disposal parts and pipes. Again, dish soap can be used; but, if you’re trying to rid your sink of an odor, try citrus peels, vinegar, and/or baking soda. There are also natural cleaning products available in stores.
Ice it down. Putting ice cubes in your disposal will not only help scrub the inside of your disposal, but will actually sharpen the disposal blades. Simply, toss them in and switch on the disposal as often as every other week.
Break up larger items to be put in your garbage disposal. It might be easier to throw a half of a pork chop in your disposal and just let it do the work; but this can lead to problems. If you just cannot find it in your heart to put it in the trash, at least break it into “bit-size”’ pieces and feed it slowly into the disposal.
There are some other secrets that should be common knowledge between you and your garbage disposal. For instance, your disposal has safeguards to ensure that it will live on beyond the first instance of abuse. If your disposal is not spinning, look underneath your sink and find the disposal motor. You might simply need to find and push the reset button which nearly all disposals have. There is also a hand crank that can be turned with the right sized Alan wrench. This will free up the blades in nearly all cases. Most issues with your disposal are a simple fix; however, if you are still having problems, contact a local certified plumber.
Hopefully you are now more aware of what your garbage disposal can do for you; as well as, what you can do for your garbage disposal. With proper watering and diet, your disposal will live a long, healthy life.
Contact Dallas home inspector Keith Boggs if you have any questions about the information in this blog or to schedule a home inspection at www.homeinspection-dallas.com.