Garbage Disposal Simple & Quick Cleaning Tips

It seems that garbage disposal are a convenience that many modern homeowners cannot do without. It makes cleaning up significantly faster. Unfortunately, the problem begins when homeowners do not know how to take care of the disposer. For example, are you supposed to empty garbage disposals? If it is sink-mounted, you are supposed to stuff less in it so that it can be efficiently disposed of. Otherwise, your disposer becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and insects. Here are some tips on garbage disposal cleaning you can take note of.

Cleaning Materials

What to use to clean garbage disposals? Luckily, you can use regular household items to do the daily cleaning like:

  • – Liquid dishwashing soap;
  • – Baking soda;
  • – Sea salt;
  • – Distilled white vinegar;
  • – Ice;
  • – Lemon or lime; and
  • – Soft sponge or old toothbrush.

Cleaning Garbage Disposals

How do you clean out garbage disposals? Here are a couple of techniques to try.

  • Ice Cubes –this is a popular way to not only eliminate foul odor, but also sharpen the blades of the disposer at the same time. This is of course if the disposer has blades. Some newer models make use of impellers that will push the waste against a shredder. The ice cubes can still clean the disposer, but most of the time it would melt before completely cleaning the unit.
  • Lemon or Citrusy Fruits – the smell neutralized foul odors coming from the disposer. All you have to do is to place wedges in the unit and turn on the disposer. Make sure that cold water is running while you do this. This will leave the disposer smelling fresh. However, you must realize that foul odors are caused by waste stuck in the unit when it is not adequately cleaned.
  • Vinegar and Baking Soda – Cleaninggarbage disposals with vinegar and baking soda helps prevent dirt from becoming stubborn and helps clear the foul odor. The lemon or lime leaves a fresh smell. How do you do this? Simply run the hot water for about a minute, the pour ¼ cup of baking soda and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Add in the vinegar and let the mixture stand.

What Can You Put Down Garbage Disposals

It is useless to have a clean garbage disposal unit if you do not take proper care of it. One of the ways to do this is to make sure that only the proper things go into it. So what can you put down garbage disposals to prevent damaging it?

  • – Citrus rinds;
  • – Coffee grounds
  • – Cooked meat scraps
  • – Small bones
  • – Fruit scraps
  • – Most vegetable scraps except fibrous ones
  • – Egg shells

What? Can you put eggshells in garbage disposals? This one is quite tricky and many manufacturers are divided on the issue. Wastewater associations however contend that it is a big no when it comes to eggshells in garbage disposals. So to play it safe, just toss the eggshells in the trash or maybe put it to better use as a compost.

This is something that you should seriously consider especially if your garbage disposal unit is older than 10 years. This means that the unit is not as strong and efficient as it used to be so the eggshells may result in clogging or other more serious problems.

Eventually, you will have to get rid of your garbage disposal unit in favor of a newer one. The question is where will the old one go? In the trash? Can you recycle garbage disposals? Actually, just like any other appliances, garbage disposals can be recycled. And if they are still in working condition, they can be donated to charity organizations for reselling.

When you run into garbage disposal problems, Scott English Plumbing is just a phone call away.

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