5 Garbage Disposal Dos and Don'ts

The garbage disposal is a very hardworking, underrated appliance in your home. We'll share some tips so you can keep it working properly. 

DO: Follow These Simple Tips to Help Unclog Your Disposal

Never pour bleach, drain cleaners or other chemicals into the garbage disposal as they are corrosive and can damage your pipes. Do try a natural clog remover like a quarter-cup of baking soda into the drain hold, followed by a half-cup vinegar. Allow the solution to bubble for several minutes, flush with hot water, and see if that helps disssolve the clog. If that doesn't work, you can also try to plunge the drain. 

DON’T: “Sharpen” the Blades with Ice or Eggshells

Garbage disposals do not have blades. They have impellers that are not sharp, but blunt. So, putting ice or egg shells down the disposal to sharpen the blades will not do any good. In fact, egg shells can get wrapped around the impellers and cause damage.

DO: Use Cold Water, Not Hot, When the Disposal is Running

While hot water does dissolve grease, it may actually do more harm than good and could actually push grease further into the pipes and create clogs. It can even cause your disposal to overheat. Cold water is better, as it helps grease to solidify and move more easily down the drain with the wastewater.

DON’T: Pour Grease or Food Scrap Down the Disposal

Never pour fats, oil or grease into your disposal or down your sink. Your disposal simply grinds items. Chasing it down with dish soap won’t always work either. Fats, oil and grease can congeal, stick to and build up in plumbing and clog the sewer. Food scraps are best thrown in the trash, not in your disposal. 

DO: Keep Using Your Trash Can

Although a garbage disposal is durable, it is not indestructible. Disposals are designed to grind down soft food particles, not hard food waste like bones, corn cobs, fruit pits, and un-popped popcorn kernels. A good rule of thumb is if you have a hard time chewing it, your disposal will probably have a hard time grinding it. If you’re not sure about an item, it’s better to throw it in the trash. Avoid dumping other foods like pasta or rice as they expand in water and could clog your drain. Also, avoid starchy or stringy vegetables like celery, rhubarb, asparagus, potato and banana peels and coffee grounds. 

With an American Home Shield home warranty, your garbage disposal will be protected, so if a breakdown occurs due to normal wear and tear, we'll repair it for you. Our home warranty plans also cover up to 23 home systems and appliances so you have someone in your corner when unexpected breakdowns occut. We'll find the right Pro for the job and help protect your budget. 

AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.