7 Ways to Keep Your Garbage Disposal Up and Running
Your garbage disposal is designed to make meal cleanup faster and easier. But, like other kitchen appliances, your garbage disposal requires routine maintenance. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to sustain your garbage disposal so it works whenever you need it. Check out these seven easy ways to maintain the proper operation of your garbage disposal.
1. Cut Food Items Into Small Pieces
Cutting up food items before dropping them into the garbage disposal can prolong the life of your unit. For example, if you have a whole tomato or several slices of cucumber, cut them up so they’ll be more manageable for your unit. Overloading your unit can require repair work or the installation of a new garbage disposal.
2. Operate Your Garbage Disposal Every Week
Operate your garbage disposal each week even if you’re only running cold water through it. Getting its parts moving every few days keeps rust and corrosion from developing, which could sabotage your unit.
3. Drop Ice Cubes Into the Disposal
Dropping a few ice cubes into your garbage disposal each week helps sharpen the blades. This should be done whether you use your garbage disposal every day or once a week.
4. Use Cold Water When Running Your Garbage Disposal
When you’re putting food items into your garbage disposal, make sure you’re running cold water during the process. Cold water tends to harden food items, allowing them to easily travel through the pipes. Alternatively, hot water melts many types of food, making those leftover bits stick to the sides of your pipes.
5. Put a Few Drops of Dish Soap Into the Garbage Disposal
Put a few drops of dish soap into your garbage disposal while running cold water. This simple mixture can clean your blades and the inside of the unit, removing grease and other stuck-on debris.
6. Avoid Putting Certain Foods Into Your Garbage Disposal
Of course, no garbage disposal can handle every type of food that goes into it. Avoid putting foods such as pasta and rice into your disposal. These foods expand with water and take on a gummy texture. Also, when your family finishes your special recipe for Texas barbecue, don’t put the bones down your garbage disposal. Leave those for the trash can!
7. Grind Up Some Citrus Peels
Next time you have an orange or lemon, cut up the peels, and send them down your garbage disposal. Citrus peels are excellent for getting rid of odors in your unit.
Our experienced plumbers at Heaton Plumbing stand ready to service or repair your garbage disposal or any other plumbing in your home. We’re proud to serve our neighbors in La Porte, Texas. Contact us today!
