Tips for Maintaining Your Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposal is among the kitchen fixtures that homeowners most commonly take for granted, assuming that it can handle anything and will always serve their needs. But like all parts of a house, regular garbage disposal maintenance will keep this important appliance working well and improve the overall plumbing health of the home.
Here are some garbage disposal maintenance tips that will improve your home’s plumbing and help you deal with food waste in the best way possible.
Benefits of a Garbage Disposal
Not every kitchen is equipped with a garbage disposal, but you can gain a lot by having one installed or properly using the one you have. It is easy and efficient to put food waste down a garbage disposal as way to cut down on trash you produce and reduce odors in the kitchen. Less trash in your trash can means less for you to carry out to the street on trash pick-up day and for the garbage company to haul away to a landfill.
Garbage disposals also put less pressure on drainage pipes, which means fewer leaky, burst, and clogged pipes. These kitchen resources, especially the high-quality ones sold by Central Plumbing Specialties, are durable and built to last a long time, which means you won’t need frequent plumber visits to keep them functional. Basic garbage disposal maintenance is something that you can do at home with minimal time or plumbing expertise.
Don’t Put Just Anything Down the Garbage Disposal
It’s important to remember that garbage disposals are not catch-all devices and only certain types of foods should be put down them. For example, avoid putting fibrous or starchy foods down the garbage disposal because these have a tendency to adhere to the blades and break the appliance. Also, non-food items should never be put down the garbage disposal.
Cut Large Food Scraps Before Disposing Them
Another of our garbage disposal maintenance tips is to cut or break up large scraps of food before placing them down the disposal. This allows the device to work more efficiently without overwhelming its capacity or causing it to strain or break prematurely.
Use Plenty of Cold Water in Your Disposal
For garbage disposal maintenance, always keep the water cold when using your garbage disposal to keep it well-maintained and working well. Hot water has a way of liquefying fats and greases, causing them to build up on the blades and cause malfunctioning over time.
Run the Garbage Disposal Every Couple Days
Even if you don’t have any food scraps from your meals every day, make a point to run the garbage disposal with cold water every couple of days anyway. This prevents the blades from getting rusty and eliminates any build-up of food scraps left behind from previous days.
Clean the Garbage Disposal with Natural Ingredients
The final garbage disposal maintenance tip we’ll mention here is to avoid harsh cleaners in your garbage disposal, such as bleach or chemical drain cleaner. Instead, run your garbage disposal with ice cubes and rock salt every couple of weeks to clear away residue. Then clean your garbage disposal with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to kill bacteria and scrub the flaps with a brush.
If your garbage disposal is beyond repair or it’s simply time for an upgrade, we have a wide selection of garbage disposals for you to choose from. Visit our location nearest you to see our garbage disposals in-person, or browse our website to learn about their features and which one might work best in your kitchen.