A Guide to a Trouble-Free Kitchen
Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and your garbage disposal plays a crucial role in keeping it running smoothly. It’s a handy appliance that makes meal clean-up a breeze, but it’s essential to use it wisely. In this blog post, we will explore what you should avoid putting down your garbage disposal and tips and tricks to ensure it stays in excellent working condition.

Items to Avoid
Grease and Cooking Oils:
Pouring hot grease and cooking oils down your sink is a recipe for disaster. These substances can congeal and create blockages in your pipes and disposal. Instead, let them cool and solidify, then scrape them into the trash.
Fibrous Vegetables:
Foods like celery, artichokes, and asparagus have long, stringy fibers that can wrap around the disposal’s blades, causing it to jam. It’s best to toss these in the trash or compost.
Eggshells:
Despite the myth, eggshells should not go in your garbage disposal. The thin membrane inside the shell can get tangled around the blades, and over time, this can lead to mechanical issues.
Bones:
Garbage disposals are not designed to handle bones. They can damage the blades and cause clogs. Dispose of bones in your regular trash.
Pasta and Rice:
These expand when exposed to water, making them prone to swelling in your pipes and causing blockages.
Coffee Grounds:
While coffee grounds might seem harmless, they can form sludgy clumps when mixed with water. Over time, these clumps can obstruct your disposal’s functionality.
Fruit Pits and Seeds:
Peach, cherry, and avocado pits, as well as various fruit seeds, are too hard for your garbage disposal to handle. These should be discarded in your trash bin.
Potato Peels:
Starchy foods like potato peels can turn into a paste-like substance in the disposal, leading to blockages.

Tips and Tricks for a Trouble-Free Garbage Disposal
Now that we’ve covered what not to put down your garbage disposal, let’s look at some essential tips and tricks for maintaining a trouble-free kitchen.
Run Cold Water:
Always use cold water when operating your garbage disposal. It helps solidify any grease or oils that may have accidentally slipped in, preventing them from clogging the pipes.
Keep It Clean:
To maintain a fresh-smelling disposal, grind a few ice cubes and a slice of lemon or lime. This helps remove food particles and odors.
Use It Regularly:
Surprisingly, using your garbage disposal regularly can help prevent rust and corrosion. If it sits idle for too long, it may become more prone to problems.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals:
Steer clear of harsh chemicals to clear clogs. They can damage your disposal and harm the environment. Opt for natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar.

A well-maintained garbage disposal can be an actual kitchen hero, but using it responsibly is essential. By following the list of items not to put down your garbage disposal and implementing our maintenance tips, you can enjoy a trouble-free kitchen and avoid the hassle and expense of dealing with clogged pipes and malfunctioning disposals. Keep your kitchen running smoothly, one responsible disposal at a time!
For more cleaning tips, check out our post about how often you should be cleaning.