To you, it may be just an afterthought, but the garbage disposal can be a lifesaver in terms of your drain. The disposal makes life easier, but you also need to take care of it to make sure it stays in proper working order without clogs and other drain disasters.
Use It
One of the best ways to keep your garbage disposal is good working order is to use it frequently. This helps keep the blades from getting corroded and keeps things from getting blocked.
Cleaning
Your garbage disposal should be cleaned fairly regularly. Add a drop or two of dish soap to the drain and run the disposal with cold water for about a minute. Do this every time after you do the dishes.
Feeding
Your garbage disposal is made for eating up biodegradable waste. There are a few things you should—and should not—feed your disposal. For cleaning purposes, you should throw a lemon or an orange into the disposal every once in a while. Citrus fruits have valuable (and lovely smelling) oils that clean and sanitize. Ice cubes and frozen vinegar cubes will also help with cleaning and keep the blades in action.
Occasionally grinding hard materials like eggshells and fish bones will create an abrasive action that will also help clean out the disposal.
One major no-no for disposals is putting anything in there that isn’t biodegradable. Avoid grease if at all possible, and avoid putting too many coffee grounds down the drain. Too much starch (potatoes) can cause blades to stick, and fibrous foods like corn husks and onion skins can cause the blades to jam.
Hi-Tech Appliance serves the Louisville, Colorado area and provides expertise in major appliance sales and repair. Contact us to speak to one of our experts and take a look at our showroom.
