If you have a garbage disposal, you need to maintain it properly in order to keep it running as it should and to prevent a clog in your drain. A garbage disposal helps breakdown food particles so you can skip the dish scraping portion of cleaning the dishes. It's a time saver when you clean up before doing the dishes. It's not a necessary appliance, but it can be helpful. If you have a garbage disposal, follow the maintenance tips below.
Sharpen The Blades
Keep the blades sharpened so it can chop up food particles properly by placing ice cubes in the disposal at least once per week. It doesn't take long to do and can prevent clogs in your disposal if the food particles aren't being chopped up enough to be washed down your drainage pipe.
Throw Out Hard Food Scraps
Hard food scraps like bones, corn husks and fruit pits should be thrown into the trash rather than in the disposal. They are too hard for the disposal and will not get minced up like other food pieces. These harder food scraps will get stuck in your disposal and can wear out the motor. Toss these items instead.
Clean The Disposal
Keep your disposal clean and your blades free of rust by using distilled white vinegar and baking soda in the drain at least once per month. This can clear out minor clogs in addition to cleaning the disposal itself. Add a few drops of lemon juice in the disposal along with the vinegar and baking soda for a fresher scent and to get rid of rust. If your blades are too rusty they may not be doing their job properly and may need to be replaced. If this is the case you can find replacement parts at your local appliance parts supply store.
Remove Clogs
If you have a clog in the drain it may be due to hardening food particles or food scraps that should not have been put in the drain in the first place. Things like grease, oil and paint should never be placed in the drain. If you end up with a clog in the drain you can use a snake in the drain or call a plumber for help clearing the clog if it's deep in the drain and you aren't able to clear it with the snake.
Maintain your disposal to keep it working as it should. If you have any problems with your garbage disposal or with any drains in your household, call professional plumbing services for help.
