If your sink is gurgling or bubbling, it’s time to call a punctual plumber for help. A clog can cause your sink to back up, leading to water damage and foul odors.
To protect your garbage disposal and plumbing system, you should avoid pouring any fats, oils, or grease (FOG) down the drain. Learn more about what can and cannot go down your sink.
TL;DR: What Can and Can’t Go in a Garbage Disposal?
- Soft items, like citrus peels, dish soap, and ice cubes, can safely go down the garbage disposal.
- You should never put fibrous veggies, FOG items, bones, potato peels, coffee, trash, chemicals, or any solid items down your sink.
- Before and after you use your garbage disposal, try running cold water to clean it out.
- Clean out your garbage disposal periodically with the help of citrus and ice.
How a Garbage Disposal Works
Your garbage disposal uses a spinning plate and a grind ring to grind food into small bits. It can’t handle large amounts of food, grease, fibrous foods, trash, or bones.
Running water is essential because it helps to prevent clogs and ensure that everything goes down the drain properly. Additionally, running water helps to lubricate the garbage disposal.
What You Can Put in a Garbage Disposal
For the best results, remember to only allow the following items to go down your garbage disposal.
Soft Foods
In general, any food that is soft enough for you to chew is safe enough for your garbage disposal.
Citrus Peels
From time to time, try grinding citrus peels in your garbage disposal. Besides freshening the scent of the disposal, the peels help to break down any buildup.
Cold Water
Cold water should always be run when you use your garbage disposal to prevent fats from melting and sticking to the sides of the pipes.
Dish Soap
Dish soap is an effective tool for breaking up light residue on dishes and in your pipes.
Ice Cubes
Using ice cubes in your garbage disposal can help clean the blades and dislodge debris. For even better results, freeze lemon juice or vinegar into your ice cubes.
What You Shouldn’t Put in a Garbage Disposal
Unless you want an emergency plumbing appointment at the very last moment, it’s important to pay attention to which items go into your sink. The following things should never go down the drain.
Grease, Oil, and Fat
As soon as FOG items enter your pipes, they start to solidify. Before long, this causes major clogs to form.
Bones
Because bones are naturally hard, they can jam the motor and dull blades.
Coffee Grounds
Over time, grounds can form sludge in P-traps.
Eggshells
An eggshell’s membranes can end up wrapping around delicate parts in the garbage disposal, leading to jammed parts.
Fibrous Vegetables
Corn husks, asparagus, celery, and other fibrous vegetables can tangle and jam your garbage disposal.
Pasta and Rice
Pasta and rice continue to absorb water after they enter your drain. This makes them expand and become gluey, causing challenging clogs.
Potato Peels
Because of the high starch content, potato peels can create a thick, sticky paste.
Fruit Pits and Shells
Never allow fruit pits into your drains.
Non-Food Trash Items
Glass, rubber bands, twist ties, paper towels, and other non-food items should never be used in your garbage disposal.
Drain Cleaners or Harsh Chemicals
Harsh chemicals can end up corroding your pipes over time.
Garbage Disposal Myths Debunked
To avoid a disaster, never listen to these common myths.
“Eggshells Sharpen Blades”
Unfortunately, the membrane can jam garbage disposals.
“Hot Water Helps Grease”
Long-term hot water and grease usage will solidify into clogs.
“You Can Put Anything Organic in the Disposal”
To avoid a plumbing malfunction, leave the organic scraps in your compost pile.
“Disposals Clean Themselves”
Unfortunately, disposals only become clean through maintenance and routine cleaning.
How To Maintain Your Garbage Disposal
To keep your garbage disposal functioning at its best, remember these best practices.
Run Cold Water Before and After Use
When you run a little cold water at the same time as the garbage disposal, it prevents grease and particles from sticking.
Use Ice Weekly
Ice cubes are an effective method for cleaning disposal blades.
Clean With Citrus and Baking Soda
These items are natural deodorizers. For a fizzy clean, use vinegar.
Don’t Overload the Disposal
Never push large items down the drain. Use small batches of food only.
Warning Signs of Garbage Disposal Damage
The following are indications that you may have a problem with your garbage disposal.
- Unusual grinding noises
- Lack of water drainage
- Humming without spinning
- Persistent odors
- An inability to reset or power on
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Using a Disposal
To avoid issues with your garbage disposal, consider more eco-friendly options. Many foods, like eggshells and coffee grounds, can be composted. FOG items can be collected in jars. Additionally, all solid items should be scraped off of dishes and into the trash.
Final Verdict: What Belongs and What Doesn’t
By sticking to safe foods and avoiding FOG items, you can protect your garbage disposal. When in doubt, never flush anything down the drain.
If you do run into problems, reach out to our team of punctual plumbers who serve Birmingham and the surrounding areas with garbage disposal installation and repair services.
FAQs
Can I put lemon peels in the garbage disposal?
Absolutely! They are great cleaners and deodorizers.
Is cold or hot water better for disposals?
Cold water is better. It prevents grease from solidifying.
Can I put rice or pasta down the disposal?
No, it will expand and become sticky.
How often should I clean my disposal?
Using ice each week is an effective maintenance plan.
What’s the best way to get rid of grease?
Pour cooled grease into a container so that it can be tossed into the trash.