Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

Published: January 15, 2024

A garbage disposal is one of the most convenient appliances in your kitchen, making cleanup after meals quick and efficient. However, many homeowners neglect proper maintenance until problems arise. With regular care and proper usage, your garbage disposal can last 10-15 years while operating efficiently and odor-free.

How Garbage Disposals Work

Understanding how your disposal works helps you use it correctly. The unit uses a spinning impeller plate with small metal blades to grind food waste into tiny particles that can safely travel through your plumbing system. Water flushes these particles down the drain. The grinding chamber is designed to handle soft food waste, but has limits on what it can process.

What Should Never Go in Your Disposal

Avoiding problematic items is the first step in disposal maintenance. Never put these materials in your garbage disposal:

• Grease and oil: These solidify when cooled, coating pipes and causing clogs.
• Fibrous foods: Celery, corn husks, and artichokes have stringy fibers that wrap around the blades.
• Pasta and rice: These expand with water and can clog pipes.
• Eggshells: The membrane lining can wrap around the disposal mechanism.
• Coffee grounds: They accumulate and create sediment in pipes.
• Bones and fruit pits: Too hard for the disposal to break down.
• Non-food items: Plastic, paper, and other debris can damage the unit.

Daily Maintenance Habits

Run Water During Use

Always run cold water before, during, and after using your disposal. Cold water helps solidify any grease so it can be ground up, while hot water can melt grease that later solidifies in pipes. Run water for 15-30 seconds after the grinding stops to flush all waste through the pipes.

Use It Regularly

Regular use prevents rust and corrosion from forming on the blades. If the disposal sits unused for extended periods, run it briefly once a week to keep the mechanism working properly.

Cut Large Items into Smaller Pieces

Feed waste gradually rather than stuffing large amounts at once. This allows the disposal to work efficiently and prevents jams.

Weekly Cleaning routine

Dish Soap Method

Fill the sink with a few inches of cold water and add a generous amount of dish soap. Remove the stopper to let the soapy water flush through the disposal while running. This cleans the grind chamber and helps remove buildup.

Ice and Salt Scrub

Grinding ice cubes with coarse salt acts as an abrasive scrubber, cleaning the blades and chamber walls. The ice also helps sharpen the blades slightly while removing debris.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Pour a half cup of baking soda down the disposal followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture fizz for 15-20 minutes, then flush with hot water. This natural cleaning method eliminates odors and breaks down deposits.

Dealing with Odors

If your disposal develops unpleasant odors despite regular cleaning, try grinding citrus peels. Oranges, lemons, or limes release oils that neutralize odors and leave a fresh scent. For stubborn smells, check if food particles are trapped under the baffle or inside the rubber splash guard.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Disposal Won't Turn On

Check if the unit is plugged in and the circuit breaker hasn't tripped. Most disposals have a reset button on the bottom. If the unit is jammed, use the disposal key or an Allen wrench to manually turn the blades and free the obstruction.

Slow Draining

Slow draining often indicates a partial clog in the pipes rather than the disposal itself. See our guide on how to unclog drains for solutions.

Strange Noises

Unusual sounds often indicate foreign objects caught in the disposal. Turn off the unit immediately and check for utensils, bones, or other hard objects. Never put your hand in the disposal without ensuring power is disconnected.

When to Call a Professional

If your disposal is leaking, making grinding noises even when empty, or not working despite troubleshooting, professional help may be needed. First Plumbing Pro can connect you with licensed plumbers who handle disposal repairs and replacements.

Conclusion

Proper garbage disposal maintenance is straightforward and takes minimal time. By following these guidelines, you can extend your disposal's lifespan, prevent costly repairs, and keep your kitchen running smoothly. Remember that a disposal handles food waste, not trash, so be mindful of what enters the unit.