While it’s hard to imagine what life in the kitchen would be like without our garbage disposal, you rarely give it a second thought if you're anything like us. We’ve come to expect and rely on its ease while doing dishes so much that it is shocking when it inevitably ends up clogged or malfunctioning because we’re not showing it the proper care it requires.
If you’re looking to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly, here are a few tips for maintaining it effectively:
Be mindful of what you are putting down the drain.
Food scraps and other food waste can quickly clog up your garbage disposal, so it is important to avoid them. Some common food wastes to be wary of include food rinds, bones, eggshells, coffee grounds, oils, fats, grease, and starchy foods like pasta or rice.
These food particles often get trapped in the small crevices of the appliance and prevent it from functioning properly. In order to care for your garbage disposal and keep it running smoothly, it is important to avoid putting large amounts of food scraps in the disposal and to regularly maintain the appliance by cleaning out any food debris.
Regularly clean out your garbage disposal.
You can do this by pouring a small amount of dish soap down the drain and running your garbage disposal for a few seconds. You can also use a toothbrush or other small brush to clean out any food debris that may be caught in the appliance.
Run cold water while using your garbage disposal.
This will help to keep food scraps from sticking to the sides of the appliance and causing clogs.
By following these simple tips, you can help keep your garbage disposal running smoothly and avoid any unwanted problems. If you do encounter a garbage disposal malfunction, reach out to our team at Milton Frank Plumbing & Cooling for assistance!