Your garbage disposal is an essential part of your kitchen plumbing— you could even say it’s the powerhouse. Although these devices make it easy for you to throw food out, it doesn’t mean everything should go down it. Avoid making a costly plumbing mistake with our guidelines for how to correctly use your garbage disposal. We’ll go over what can and can’t go in there, how to care for it, and more.
Garbage Disposal Dos:
With just dish soap and cold running water, you can clean out your disposal. Squeeze a dollop into your disposal, turn it on, and run cold water for about 20 seconds. This is a great way to clear any grease, gunk, and grime that has gotten stuck in the drain.
Are you starting to notice an odor coming from your kitchen sink? That’s not surprising when you think of all the blended food it has to process, but it’s still not welcome. Pour lemon juice down to remedy the smell. Another way to avoid odors is by treating it monthly with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.
Use plenty of water when grinding up food waste and for 15 seconds afterward to be cautious. This is the best way to avoid any clogs!
Garbage Disposal Don’ts:
Do not pour bleach or drain cleaners down your disposal. These harsh chemicals are corrosive and can damage your plumbing, which can be a costly fix.
Keep oils, fats, and grease away from your drain. These substances will harden in your drain and lead to clogging.
Do not toss out medications down the garbage disposal. While this might seem like a safe way to get rid of substances, it can find its way into a water supply.
Avoid putting these down your garbage disposal:
Eggshells
Fibrous foods such as potatoes, lettuce, onion skins, celery, and banana peels
Rice or pasta
Coffee grounds
Fruit pits
Seafood shells
Chicken skin
Produce stickers
Seeds and nuts
Call Performance Plumbing
At Performance Plumbing, we’ve been servicing the residents of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Hampton for over 18 years. We understand how important your kitchen is and we can handle any of your repairs. Contact us online or give us a call at (757) 300-0212 for quick and affordable kitchen plumbing solutions you can count on.
