Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

Garbage disposals are generally considered self-cleaning, low-maintenance appliances. However, if your garbage disposal is acting up it can be a frustrating and messy problem. With the holidays here, your garbage disposal will be working overtime, so here are a few tips to follow for better garbage disposal care and maintenance.

Tips:

- When you’re using your garbage disposal, run cold water instead of hot water while grinding. Running cold water will harden any fats and grease lingering in your drain pipes and will help flush them out. Running hot water, however, will dissolve the grease and result in a blockage in the pipes.

- If there is an odor coming from your garbage disposal, try pouring a few tablespoons of multipurpose cleaner down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. After you have let it sit, wash the cleaner away by running hot water. Repeat this process until the odor is gone.

- Never put non-food items down the garbage disposal. Such items include plastic, metal, tin, glass, etc. Other items that could ruin your disposal if put down the drain are corn husks, and clam shells.

- Some items, when ground, can actually help clean your disposal by scraping away accumulated food particles. For example, egg shells, ice cubes, and small bones, like the ones found in fish, can help keep your disposal in clean, working order..

Call a Plumber if….

If your garbage disposal is clogged, leaking or won’t turn on. These are signs that you need to consult a plumber. By attempting to fix the problem yourself, you could potentially make it worse or injure yourself. Repairing a garbage disposal is a task best left to the professionals.