Garbage disposal is one of the most convenient appliances in a kitchen. You can grind up food waste by simply flipping a switch and sending it down the drain. However, many people are not aware of the proper way to use a garbage disposal.
This disposal unit shreds food waste into small pieces—generally less than 2 inches (5.1 cm)—to pass through plumbing. Some units that do not shred food waste use centrifugal force to grind food waste to smaller pieces that can pass through the plumbing.
Without proper maintenance, your garbage disposal can break down or become clogged with bones, fibrous food, or bones, which shouldn’t be put in garbage disposal in the first place. As said earlier, a garbage disposal helps to break down food waste so that it can be disposed of through your home’s drain system. However, most people throw everything in their garbage disposal, hoping it will get the job done—but they are damaging the appliance.
Your disposal’s blades and the drain pipes in your home are susceptible to clogging if you don’t use your garbage disposal properly or maintain it as you should. In this post, we shall give you tips on how to clean and maintain your garbage disposal to keep it in good condition and extend its lifespan. Let’s delve in!
How to clean garbage disposal
Use ice cubes
One of the easiest ways to clean your garbage disposal is using ice cubes. Yes, you read that right! Ice cubes can help remove any sludge or gunk stuck on the blades of your garbage disposal. Additionally, the cold temperature of the ice cubes will cause any grease or oil build-up to harden so that it can be easily removed. All you need to do is fill your garbage disposal with ice cubes and run it for about 30 seconds.
If you find that there is still some residue left on the blades, repeat the process until everything is removed. Once you’re done, run some hot water through the garbage disposal for about 15 seconds to flush everything out.
Use citrus fruits
Another great way to clean your garbage disposal is using citrus fruits such as lemons or oranges. The acidic nature of these fruits will help to break down any residue that might be stuck on the blades of your disposal. Additionally, the citrus oils from the fruit will leave your garbage disposal smelling fresh and fragrant.
To clean your garbage disposal with citrus fruits, cut a lemon or an orange in half and then put it into the garbage disposal. Turn on the appliance and let it run for about 30 seconds before turning it off. Once it’s turned off, let the water from your sink run through the garbage disposal for about 15 seconds to flush everything out.
Use baking soda and vinegar
The technicians from Lakeland appliance repair, Hartman say that baking soda and vinegar are a classic cleaning combination that can be used to clean just about anything—including your garbage disposal. The baking soda will help break down any residue that might be stuck on the blades, while the vinegar will disinfect the appliance and eliminate any bad smells.
To clean your garbage disposal with baking soda and vinegar, pour ½ cup (120 ml) of vinegar into the garbage disposal. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before pouring in ½ cup (120 ml) of baking soda. Turn on the garbage disposal and let it run for about 30 seconds before turning it off. Once it’s turned off, let the water from your sink run through the garbage disposal for about 15 seconds to flush everything out.
Use salt
Salt is another great cleaning agent that can be used to clean your garbage disposal. The abrasive nature of salt will help to break down any residue that might be stuck on the blades, while the sodium will disinfect the appliance.
To clean your garbage disposal with salt, pour ½ cup (120 ml) of salt into the garbage disposal. Turn on the appliance and let it run for about 30 seconds before turning it off. Once it’s turned off, let the water from your sink run through the garbage disposal for about 15 seconds to flush everything out.
Garbage disposal maintenance tips
Run it regularly
One of the best ways to maintain garbage disposal is by running it regularly. This will help to keep the blades sharp and prevent them from rusting. It will also help break down any residue that might be stuck on the blades or drain pipes. We recommend that you run your garbage disposal at least once a week.
Be careful what you put down the drain
Another important tip for maintaining garbage disposal is to be careful about what you put down the drain. Avoid putting hard, or stringy items such as bones, celery, or banana peels into the appliance as these can damage the blades or clog up the drain pipes. Instead, only put soft items such as coffee grounds, eggshells, or vegetable scraps into the garbage disposal.
Clean it regularly
As with any other appliance in your home, it’s important to clean your garbage disposal regularly. We recommend that you clean your garbage disposal at least once a month. This will help to keep it smelling fresh and prevent the build-up of bacteria.
Use plenty of water
Whenever you use your garbage disposal, make sure to run plenty of water through it. This will help flush out any residue that might be stuck on the blades or drain pipes. We recommend letting the water from your sink run for at least 15 seconds before turning off the garbage disposal.
Always use cold water
Another important tip for garbage disposal is always using cold water. Hot water can cause grease and fat to liquefy, which can then clog up your drain pipes. Cold water, on the other hand, will help to solidify any grease or fat so that the blades can easily break it down.
Following these tips can help keep your garbage disposal clean and in good working condition. Additionally, if you run into any appliance problems, don’t hesitate to contact a professional for assistance.