Disposal Tips and Maintenance

A garbage disposal can be a very useful tool during kitchen clean up, however, they can be hard to manage. We’ve gathered some tips on how to prevent clogging disasters, and how to properly maintain it.

But first, take this quiz to see if you know disposal do’s and don’ts.

If you are unsure about putting something down the drain, put it in the trash bin instead. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Putting certain foods in the garbage disposal rather than in a trash bin can be very harmful. For instance, fat and grease should not be poured down the disposal as it will clog the drain. To avoid this, store your fat or grease in a disposable can and wait for it to solidify before throwing it away in the trash bin. Any food that is hard (such as bones, pits, shells) shouldn’t be placed in the disposal at all. It’s also important to remember that large amounts of any kind of food shouldn’t go in the disposal because it may cause blockage.

Maintaining your garbage disposal is very simple. Once a week you should rinse the drain out with cold water. This can be done by putting a stopper in the drain and filling the sink up with the cold water. Remove the stopper and let the cold water be flushed down the drain. About once a month, try putting ice cubes in the disposal and grinding them up. Flush the remaining ice bits down with cool water. This should get rid of any built up food pieces in the drain. If there are any serious issues with your disposal, contact a licensed professional for help.

Contact ELA Home Repairs for your maintenance needs at 800-368-PROS (7767).