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Garbage disposal is an important appliance in any home and can be a blessing when cooking, cleaning, and general household upkeep. But garbage disposal can also turn into a nightmare if not properly taken care of.
This article will discuss top tips that will keep your garbage disposal in good condition for years to come.
Table of Contents
Keep It Clean
It’s important to keep the garbage disposal area tidy. That means using a brush or a sponge regularly. A simple hack could be to use old toothbrushes if you need something cleaner than your hands. Another tip is to ensure that food waste does not accumulate in your sink but rather gets disposed of right away.
Clean the Garbage Disposal Every Month
This may seem tedious, but cleaning your garbage disposal once a month will help keep it in good condition. In addition, by doing this, you’ll avoid clogs and jams, which could lead to major problems if left unattended.
Use Cold Water
Cold water will help you avoid jamming the blades and prevent your garbage disposal from overheating, leading to major damage. Also, be sure that food waste is not frozen before disposing of it in the machine as this could also cause serious problems. Finally, always run cold water after using a garbage disposal.
Don’t Use Hot Water
The blades of the garbage disposal are not meant to handle warm or hot temperatures. That could cause them to warp, which will lead to damage before long. Also, be sure that you never put your hand in the machine when on and always unplug it before performing any maintenance.
Don’t Put Too Much In
This may seem like common sense, but you would be surprised at how many people throw whole pieces of fruit and vegetables at their garbage disposal. Unfortunately, the blades can’t handle this strain, leading to problems, including jamming the machine. Also, don’t forget that you should never put these items at your disposal without chopping them down first.
Listen to Your Machine
If you hear unusual sounds coming from your garbage disposal, this may mean that it is not working correctly. Listen carefully, and if something doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to contact a professional for more information on how they can help fix it.
Regularly Check the Drain
Checking the drain of your garbage disposal with septic will help you avoid clogs and other problems that can arise when waste is not drained properly. For example, if you notice a bad smell or see signs of mold growing near your sink, this could mean there’s a problem with your drain.
Protect Your Disposal
Be careful when using a garbage disposal, and don’t put too much strain on the machine. Doing this will help protect the disposal from wear and tear, which means that it should last many years. Always run water after turning off the unit as well.
Avoid pouring things like coffee grounds, eggshells, and oil down the sink when you have a garbage disposal because these can lead to clogs or other issues. Also, be sure that all food products go in the machine instead of blocking your drains.
Throw Only Food Down the Drain
Garbage disposal is meant to handle food waste and liquids, nothing else. Never put anything other than food down the drain, as it could cause serious problems. Also, don’t put non-decomposing materials like plastic in your garbage disposal.
Do Not Use Your Sink for Storage
It may seem like a good idea at first, but over time, these items could accumulate and cause a serious clog in your garbage disposal despite your best efforts. Therefore, it’s important to have enough space for the garbage disposal under your sink area so that you can avoid this from happening.
There may be instances when you need professional help. For example, if your garbage disposal seems jammed or broken in any way, do not hesitate to contact a maintenance specialist right away. They’ll know exactly how to fix the problem and will have you feeling new in no time.
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