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For many homeowners, the garbage disposal is one of the most used appliances in the kitchen and also the most underappreciated. It’s not often you’re thanking your garbage disposal for doing its job, but the handy processer makes getting rid of food scraps a breeze! And tossing one wrong item down can have you running out of the kitchen with a messy, possibly smelly, clogged up sink. Before you get to that point, let’s rewind and explore the most common mistakes people make with their garbage disposals. Learn from their mistakes, so you don’t repeat them!
Not following the correct order
Who knew there was an operation order when using the garbage disposal? It’s not as simple as putting food down and flipping the switch. Follow this arrangement to avoid overloading the appliance:
Begin by running cold water.
Turn on the garbage disposal, and gradually put food down the drain until it’s all gone.
Switch off the garbage disposal, but leave the water on for another 15 seconds to make sure it has flushed all the scraps away.
Cleaning it with a chemical drain cleaner
We understand that garbage disposals can get smelly over time, but avoid washing them with store-bought drain cleaners. They’re made up of harsh chemicals that are dangerous for your plumbing system. That is why we recommend natural alternatives like BioOne, which gets the job done safely. Ask our plumbers about this product, and we’ll make sure you get one on your hands!
Tossing down anything and everything
Your garbage disposal is not a trash can, so don’t treat it like one. Attempting to grind whatever you feel like is a sure-fire way to have it break down. Never put these items down the kitchen drain:
Fats, greases, and oils
Fibrous foods (eggshells, celery, potato skin, etc.)
Fruit pits
Animal bones
Rice and pasta
Our team of plumbing experts at Hedrick’s Service Now are here to keep your garbage disposal running in peak performance. Schedule your appointment with us at (214) 509-6029 today!