Garbage disposals are incredibly convenient appliances. With just the flick of a switch, you can drain away food scraps left behind in your dishes without much hassle. However, it’s important to remember like any appliance, garbage disposals need proper care and maintenance daily. To help you out, the pros at Roman Electric have prepared a guide with garbage disposal do’s and don’ts—so you can use and take care of your garbage disposal the right way!

1. DON’T Put These Items in Your Disposal

Garbage disposals can handle a variety of food scraps such as small, thin animal bones, some vegetable scraps, ice and even small pieces of cooked meat. However, there are certain items you absolutely should not put down your disposal. Here are a few of them:

• Grease

Any fats, oils and grease shouldn’t go in your disposal—even though they are liquids they congeal quickly and wreak havoc on your disposal and your drain.

• Starchy Foods

Foods like pasta, potatoes, and rice can very quickly become a mushy goo in your drain and easily clog it.

• Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds don’t break down easily which means they might worsen the condition of your drain, especially if it is older.

• Eggshells

Eggshells don’t decompose quickly, so it is best to throw them in the trash.

DO Keep Your Disposal Clean

Clean your garbage disposal weekly by pouring a little bit of dish soap in the drain and running water. You can also make your own disposal cleaner by using baking soda and vinegar. Pour ½ cup of baking soda in the disposal and follow it up with ½ cup of vinegar. Let the mixture fizz then run water for a few seconds. To remove any odors, cut up some lemon slices to put down the disposal and let it run with water for a few seconds.

DO Use Your Trashcan when Unsure

If you are unsure of where you’re supposed to dispose of certain food scraps, take the safer route and dump in the trash. If you put the wrong thing in your disposal, you might end up dealing with plumbing issues in the long run.

DON’T Try to Sharpen It

Some sources might tell you to put eggshells or ice down your disposal to try and sharpen its blades. Garbage disposals do not have blades—they have blunt impellers that pulverize any food scraps you dispose of. So, there’s no need to worry about sharpening these impellers and there’s definitely no need to dump eggshells down there!

Have any more questions about garbage disposal dos and don’ts? Get in touch with the professionals at Roman Electric. Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service with us on our website! Our team of experts will be more than happy to answer your questions and address your concerns about plumbing – and heating, cooling and electrical issues as well.