Your garbage disposal is one of the hardest-working appliances in your kitchen. It makes cleanup easier, grinds up food scraps, and helps keep your sink free of clogs. Without regular upkeep, it can develop bad odors, get stuck, or even stop running completely. The good news is that keeping your disposal in good shape isn’t difficult. You just need to know what to do (and what to avoid).
At Pacific Plumbing & Rooter Inc in Eugene, OR, we’ve helped homeowners fix and maintain their garbage disposals, and we know what works and what doesn’t. We offer a maintenance plan that includes discounts and priority service if you ever need garbage disposal repairs or a replacement. But with a few simple habits, you can keep your disposal running smoothly for years to come.
How To Use Your Garbage Disposal the Right Way
Your garbage disposal is tough, but it’s not invincible. If you’re tossing in anything and everything without thinking, you might be shortening its lifespan without realizing it. The way you use your disposal has a big impact on how well it works and how long it lasts.
Start by always running cold water before, during, and after using your disposal. Cold water helps solidify grease and fat, preventing them from sticking to the blades and pipes. Hot water is a better option, but it can actually melt grease, allowing it to coat the inside of your pipes and create clogs later.
Feeding your disposal slowly is another simple habit that makes a big difference. If you shove a handful of scraps down all at once, the motor can get overloaded, leading to jams. Instead, drop food scraps in gradually, letting the disposal break things down a little at a time. This keeps the blades moving smoothly and reduces strain on the motor.
It’s also a good idea to let the disposal run a few extra seconds after grinding food. This helps flush everything through the pipes, making sure nothing is left behind to create odors or blockages. A little patience goes a long way in keeping your disposal running properly.
What Not To Put In Your Garbage Disposal
Even though it’s designed to break down food waste, a garbage disposal isn’t a catch-all for everything in your kitchen. Some foods and materials can damage the blades, clog the pipes, or cause the motor to work harder than it should.
Fibrous foods like celery, corn husks, and onion skins can wrap around the blades, making it harder for them to spin. These stringy bits can also get stuck in the drain, leading to clogs that slow everything down. If you have scraps like these, it’s better to toss them in the trash or compost bin.
Bones and fruit pits are another no-go. They’re too hard for the disposal to grind up properly, and trying to break them down can dull the blades or even damage the motor. If something is tough enough that you wouldn’t chew it yourself, your garbage disposal won’t handle it well, either.
Grease, oil, and fat are some of the worst disposal problems. While they might seem harmless when poured down the drain, they solidify as they cool, creating a sticky mess inside your pipes. Once grease hardens, it’s always better to throw it in the trash.
Other things to avoid include coffee grounds, eggshells, pasta, rice, and anything expandable. Coffee grounds and eggshells create a sludge-like buildup, while pasta and rice absorb water and swell, leading to blockages that can slow or stop your disposal.
How To Keep Your Garbage Disposal Smelling Fresh
A garbage disposal that smells bad can make your whole kitchen feel dirty, even if everything else is spotless. Bad odors usually come from leftover food particles trapped in the disposal or drain. Luckily, keeping your disposal fresh isn’t complicated.
One of the easiest ways to fight odors is by running a mixture of ice cubes and salt through the disposal. The ice helps clean the blades, while the salt scrubs away the residue stuck inside. Running cold water as you do this helps flush everything away, leaving your disposal cleaner than before.
Citrus peels are another great trick for freshening up your disposal. The natural oils in lemon, lime, and orange peels help break down buildup while leaving behind a fresh, clean scent. Just drop a few small pieces into the disposal and let it run with cold water.
A mix of baking soda and vinegar works well to eliminate odors and break down hidden buildup. Just sprinkle half a cup of baking soda into the drain, then pour in a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture fizz and bubble for a few minutes before rinsing with hot water. This not only helps with odors but can also break up mild buildup in the pipes.
What To Do if Your Garbage Disposal Stops Working
At some point, your garbage disposal might stop working. Whether it’s jammed, clogged, or just won’t turn on, there are a few things you can try before calling for help.
First, check to see if the unit is getting power. If you flip the switch and nothing happens—no humming, no grinding, nothing—it might have tripped a circuit. Look for the reset button and press it. If that doesn’t work, check your home’s breaker box to see if the circuit needs to be reset. If your disposal hums but doesn’t spin, there’s likely something jammed inside.
Sometimes, food scraps can create a clog that prevents water from draining. If the sink is backing up, try using a plunger to loosen the blockage. If your disposal still isn’t working after these steps, it may need professional attention. Electrical issues, motor problems, and deep clogs can require more advanced repairs that aren’t safe to tackle on your own.
How To Make Your Garbage Disposal Last Longer
A garbage disposal is built to last, but like any appliance, it needs care to stay in good shape. One of the best things you can do is use your disposal regularly. Running it frequently helps keep the parts moving and prevents rust or corrosion from forming inside. Even if you don’t have much food waste, turning it on with cold water for a few seconds every couple of days keeps everything working smoothly.
Another way to extend the life of your disposal is to avoid overloading it. Feeding food scraps gradually instead of all at once reduces strain on the motor and helps prevent jams. If you’re cleaning up after a big meal, give your disposal a few breaks instead of running everything through at once. If you take care of your garbage disposal, it will take care of you. With simple habits like using cold water, avoiding certain foods, and keeping it clean, your disposal can last for years without major problems.
Pacific Plumbing & Rooter Inc Can Help You Maintain Your Garbage Disposal
A well-maintained garbage disposal means fewer clogs, no bad smells, and a kitchen sink that stays clear and functional. Regular cleaning, proper use, and knowing what to avoid can make a significant difference in how long your disposal lasts. We also offer other plumbing services like drain, sewer, and emergency plumbing. If you’re dealing with a jammed unit, slow drainage, or unusual noises, don’t wait—schedule a garbage disposal service with Pacific Plumbing & Rooter Inc today.
