NEVER Put These 5 Things Down The Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is an easy way to get rid of food scraps—some food scraps. Garbage disposals break down food and send it into wastewater as a liquid. But some things are better off tossed in the garbage to avoid a broken garbage disposal or clogs in your plumbing.
"I've seen my fair share of garbage disposal disasters over the years," said David Lewis, owner of Mission AC and Plumbing in Houston, Texas. "While they're convenient, they can't dispose of everything."
Here are the five things you should never put in the garbage disposal.
Grease
Whether or not you have a garbage disposal, you shouldn't pour grease down the drain. "Fats, oils, and grease are also big no-nos as they solidify in your pipes and lead to serious clogs," said Lewis.
So how do you dispose of grease? We recommend soaking it up with a paper towel or putting it into a container, letting it solidify, and disposing in the trash.
Coffee Grounds
Before you dump your coffee grounds in the sink, think again. Lewis says that coffee grounds will build up and cause blockages. A much better alternative is to toss them in a compost bin.
Starchy Vegetables
Starchy foods are another category that should steer clear of your sink. This includes things like rice, potato peels, and pasta, which will create a thick paste that can clog pipes.
Fibrous Foods
Lewis says that fibrous foods like celery, corn husks, and onion skins shouldn't go in the garbage disposal. This is because they can easily wrap around the blades and cause jams.
Medication
In general, most medicine shouldn't go down the drain or be flushed in the toilet. This means it also shouldn't go down the garbage disposal. The FDA has a helpful flush list and guidelines for how to dispose of medication.
How To Clean Clogged Garbage Disposal
What should you do if put one of these down the drain? "Don't panic if you accidentally send these down your disposal and end up with a clog," Lewis says. If the clog seems minor, he recommends running hot water and dish soap or a mix of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water. But if this isn't solving the problem, you should call a professional to avoid any damage.
How To Clean A Garbage Disposal
With all the food scraps going through the garbage disposal, it can develop funky odors. For regular maintenance, Lewis recommends grinding ice cubes and citrus peels in the disposal to clean and freshen the blades. "Also, always run cold water when using the disposal and let it run for a few seconds after you turn off the disposal to flush everything through," he says.
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