Garbage Disposal Do’s and Don’ts

You know the thing in your sink that makes an angry sound and scares the family pet as it gets rid of the rest of your unwanted food or waste? Well, your garbage disposal needs proper but minimal maintenance to keep them working at maximum efficiency.

Proper can keep them running up to ten years and help maximize bang for your buck! With that said, let’s take a look at how to properly care for your disposal and maintain it.

• Proper steps for cleanup and use
  • Run a small amount of dish soap through the disposal
  • Always run with cold water (helps to solidify grease or oil that has entered the unit)
  • Run for a few minutes to ensure that nothing is left to sit in the unit

• The Do’s of a garbage disposal
  • Dispose of acceptable food scraps, including:
    • Coffee grounds
    • Soft, easily mashed material
    • Meat scraps
    • Fruit or vegetable remains
  • Use frequently to avoid buildup of rust and corrosion within the unit

• And the Don’ts
  • Never put metal or plastic in the disposal
  • Avoid large amounts of grease or oil entering the disposal. This can cause buildup and lead to jams within the unit.
  • Always make sure the power is shut off during maintenance
  • Dispose of unacceptable items, such as:
    • Large bones
    • Any shells
    • Any husks
    • Potato peels
  • BROKEN GLASS (you would be surprised)

Dealing with unpleasant odors

Sometimes units produce an unpleasant odor because of build up within the unit themselves. Here are a few tips to combat this problem:

• Freeze vinegar cubes and put them in the unit allowing it to run completely. This will help kill bacteria that cause the unpleasant odor.
• If the odor persists pour baking soda into the unit and let it sit for 2-3 hours. Afterwards run the unit and flush it with water to get rid of irritating smells.
• For a quick fix, put a half lemon into the unit and run thoroughly. This will help clean the walls of the unit and leave a pleasant odor in your kitchen

Sometimes things can be out of your control and there are serious problems that can occur when these units are not properly kept.

• Leaking out the bottom of the disposal: This shows that there are possible sealant problems or problems with the plumbing and requires the most immediate attention. Remember small leaks can turn into big leaks quick!
• A slight humming noise but the unit does not work: This indicates a jam that requires the machine to be taken apart and the flywheel rotated manually by a technician.
• Disposal drains water slowly or not at all: This is indicative of a plumbing issue and will usually require drain service.

These problems require a technician so remember we are only a phone call away!

Remember proper upkeep can result in a long lasting relationship with your garbage disposal! As always,Pearson offers emergency service, and will either talk with you or visit your home to make sure your appliance is running properly.