How to Clean and Maintain Your Garbage Disposal
Keeping your garbage disposal running smoothly doesn’t have to be complicated or time‑consuming. With just a few simple habits and some expert-backed techniques from our team of experienced technicians, you can keep your rental home’s disposal clean, efficient and problem‑free for years.
How to Properly Clean Your Garbage Disposal
A monthly cleaning routine goes a long way in extending the life of your disposal. And the best tool for the job might surprise you: ice.
Ice helps break down gunk, scrub the grinding chamber, and even sharpen the blades. It’s safe, inexpensive and incredibly effective.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Method
1. Fill the disposal with ice cubes. Don’t be shy – pile them in!
2. Add a squirt of dish detergent directly into the drain.
3. Turn the disposal on and off in short bursts, letting it run only a couple of seconds at a time. This helps crush the ice into smaller cleaning granules.
4. This helps crush the ice into smaller cleaning granules.
5. Once the ice is mostly broken down, turn on the water and run the disposal until it sounds and feels smooth.
In just a minute or two, you’ll have a cleaner, fresher and better-functioning disposal.
Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips
Now that your disposal is sparkling clean, here are a few habits that will help keep it in top shape.
1. Skip the Lemon or Lime Wedges
Many people believe citrus wedges clean disposals, but that’s a myth. They may mask odors temporarily, but they can actually add to buildup and cause problems later.
2. Keep Coffee Grounds Out
Coffee grounds tend to clump and settle, which can clog both the disposal and pipes over time. Toss them in the trash or compost instead.
3. Never Pour Grease Down the Drain
Grease cools and solidifies quickly, turning into a sticky blockage that can wreak havoc on your plumbing. Always dispose of grease in a container – never the sink.
4. Avoid Hard or Fibrous Foods
Certain items are simply too tough on your disposal, including:
- Eggshells
- Fruit stems
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Fibrous peels
These materials can dull blades, jam the motor or create stubborn buildup. When in doubt, throw it out – don’t grind it!
A Few Minutes of Care = Years of Reliability
Regular cleaning with ice and dish detergent, paired with smart day‑to‑day habits, can keep your garbage disposal working like new. It doesn’t take much – just consistency and awareness of what goes down the drain.
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