If you have ever lived in an apartment or house without a garbage disposal, then you realize how handy they are when you have one! It’s like a whole new world when you don’t have to scrape your plate into the trash or worry about something sneaking down the drain and causing a clog. But no appliance works perfectly all the time. Garbage disposals can malfunction, get stinky, or break. Do you need to call a plumber every time your garbage disposal misbehaves? Let’s find out!
There are some simple tips and tricks you can utilize when your garbage disposal is malfunctioning or stinky. Six tips and tricks for your garbage disposal are: 1) Reset the disposal, 2) Use ice cubes to clean the disposal, 3) Some things should not go down the disposal, 4) Citrus fruit can help stinky disposals, 5) Run water when using the disposal, and 6) Check for foreign objects before using the disposal.
Your garbage disposal is a fairly uncomplicated appliance, but it sure is nice to have! Like all appliances, your garbage disposal requires some care to maintain and to continue working properly for its lifetime which is approximately 10-15 years. The good news is that garbage disposals are one of the least expensive kitchen appliances, so replacing yours every decade or so is not unreasonable or too costly. Sun Plumbing knows that any time an appliance doesn’t work right it can be frustrating. So, we have compiled this list of 6 tips and tricks to keep your disposal running smoothly.
#1 Reset the Disposal
If you have ever flipped the switch for your disposal and nothing happened, then you have experienced a garbage disposal malfunction. It is often a simple fix and one you definitely need to know how to do – hit the reset button! Yes, that’s right, your disposal actually has a reset button. Your garbage disposal has an auto shut-off feature when something goes wrong. So, your disposal could be clogged or overheated. You may need to clear out the drain before resetting it. Make sure the power is off first! Then, simply hit the handy dandy little reset button located on the bottom of the disposal unit which is located under your sink. Your disposal should work as good as new.
#2 Use Ice Cubes to Clean the Disposal
It’s a good idea to periodically clean your disposal. After all, its whole job is to chop up food and dispose of it. Particles can stick to the blades diminishing their effectiveness. Disposals can also get stinky when not cleaned. We’ll address that in a minute. Ice cubes can help knock particles off the disposal blades. You can use a combination of ice cubes and salt as a natural “scrub.” Add 2 cups of ice cubes, 1 cup of salt, and cold running water, then turn on your disposal for a natural cleaning mixture.
#3 Some Things Can’t Go Down the Disposal
While the disposal can handle a lot of food items, it can’t handle everything. Too much of a good thing is always too much. In other words, don’t overstuff your disposal. Give it time to chop up small portions instead of stuffing a whole pot of leftovers down the disposal. Some food items are more likely to cause clogs or get wrapped around the disposal blades causing a malfunction. It is best to dispose of potato and carrot peelings in the trash. Items that expand with water, like noodles, are also a danger to disposals. For more information on what you can and cannot put down the disposal, please check out our article, “What Can You Put Down a Garbage Disposal?”
#4 Citrus Fruits Can Help Stinky Disposals
Because of the purpose garbage disposals serve, chopping up discarded food, they can get stinky. Grab yourself an orange, have a snack, throw the torn-up peel down the disposal, run water, and turn on the disposal. This is not a cleaning tip but rather, it is a way to eliminate the odor. If your garbage disposal consistently stinks, then you may have a clog which could require a visit from one of the Sun Plumbing professionals.
#5 Run Water When Using the Disposal
When you are in a hurry, you may be tempted to flip on the disposal without running water, but don’t do it. Water helps the disposal run smoothly, and it also helps flush all those chopped-up food particles down the drain. If you run your disposal dry, you could damage it. It could also cause a stinky disposal as you are not rinsing away the chopped-up food.
#6 Check for Foreign Objects Before Using the Disposal
This does not mean stick your hand down the disposal! Silverware is the most common foreign object to sneak its way into the disposal. So, before flipping the switch, a quick glance should tell you if a fork has fallen into the disposal. Probably every person with a disposal has accidentally turned it on with a piece of silverware in there at some point. It can damage the disposal, dull the blades, and mess up your silverware! So, take a second to be sure the disposal is free and clear before using it.
What Should You Do if Your Disposal Breaks?
Sometimes the reset button isn’t enough. There are times when the pipes get clogged. There are times when the disposal breaks. And eventually, the time comes when the disposal is worn out, and it’s done for good. When any of these situations occur, simply give us a call at Sun Plumbing. We have been the go-to plumbing company for Melbourne FL for 50 years. Let us handle your disposal issues, and you will see why Sun Plumbing is as dependable as the sun!
