Tips for Using and Cleaning your Garbage Disposal
What would you consider one of the hardest working appliances you have? What if I told you one of them was your garbage disposal? And when you really think about it, your disposal puts in some extreme work. It helps keep your pipes clean, chops up and disposes of stinky food, and scares your pets. But, eventually it will start to smell or worse not work, when that happens its helpful to know what to do and who to call. We will talk about how to keep it clean and happy as well as when it is time to call your local Four Star Plumbing Technician.
What should and more importantly shouldn’t go into your garbage disposal?
According to Insinkerator, the company that makes our preferred garbage disposal, they have a handy list you can read right here. But, Four Star Plumbing suggests a few extra “don’ts” as well.
Insinkerator:
Do’s
- Household foods
- Fish bones
- Vegetables/Fruit Skins
Don’ts
- Oil
- Grease
- Non-food/inorganic items
- Plastics
Why not Oil and Grease? The big reason is they will coat the pipes and congeal, creating layer after layer of buildup. This build up will not only ruin your garbage disposal, it will clog your pipes causing stoppages. Which is a big hassle and can become expensive.
Four Star Plumbing Don’ts:
We recommend also not putting rice, oatmeal, and other thick viscous food either. In fact its best if you use the disposal for small pieces only. It is suggested not to try and fit a whole burger down your drain if it can be helped. Disposals can work wonders, but they can and do clog.
Do-it-yourself ways to clean your Garbage Disposal
There are many safe, organic ways to clean your disposal if it starts to smell that you can find and try. But, we will just focus on the two that we believe work best.
Clean it!
This is an easy one, using just a bristle brush. Unplug your disposal, and use a bristle brush to clean the rubber gasket and inside near the teeth. Using warm, soapy water, this should work to clean off any smelly buildup.
Use Ice
This is also a simple way to clean the inside of your disposal, using ice. Run your disposal with cold water flowing, drop ice cubes in a few at time. The ice will create melting roughage that will knock off any build up.
If you start hearing or seeing issues with your garbage disposal, do not hesitate to call Four Star Plumbing. All our trucks are stocked with the best in disposals, and with 24/7 service we can be at your house same day. Call us for service today.
