The holiday season often means celebrations, family gatherings, and tons of cooking and eating. With near-endless food preparation comes a huge amount of waste that puts your garbage disposal to work overtime. Follow these tips to keep your garbage disposals clean and in great working order:

1. Avoid Overloading the Disposal

Avoid putting large amounts of starchy foods (such as pasta and rice) and fibrous and stringy foods (like banana peels, celery, and asparagus) into your garbage disposal. They can tangle in the blades or turn into a thick paste that makes them difficult to flush. Remember to avoid egg shells, seeds and pits, and bones, as well, as they may jam and damage your garbage disposal.

2. Run Cold Water

Let cold water run for 15 seconds before, during, and after you use the disposal. Cold water helps solidify grease or oils, allowing your disposal to chop them into smaller, more manageable pieces before flushing them away. Using hot water is discouraged because it melts the oils and grease, increasing the risk of clogs.

3. Clean With Ice Cubes and Citrus Peels

Grind ice cubes and citrus peels in the disposal to clean the unit and remove garbage residue from the blades. The ice cubes and the citrus peels help deodorize the unit and produce a fresh, clean scent in your kitchen. You can also use baking soda, salt, and vinegar when you need to do a deep clean.

4. Steer Clear of Harsh Chemicals

Avoid using chemical drain cleaners, as they contain harsh chemicals that can damage the disposal's metal blades and pipes. These chemicals can also weaken seals and cause leaks in your kitchen sink. Drain cleaners are formulated to dissolve clogs and not grind food waste.

5. Run the Garbage Disposal Longer

Once waste grinding is complete, run your garbage disposal for about a minute longer to ensure all food particles are flushed out of the system. This helps prevent clogs and jams in the pipes, as well as bad odor from emanating in your home.

When You Should Contact a Professional

Normal wear and tear are common in garbage disposals, especially given the amount of work they do to help you manage your waste. If you notice these early warning signs, contact a reliable plumbing professional for garbage disposal repair services:

  • Unusual sounds
  • Slow draining
  • Pooling under the sink
  • Frequent clogging or jamming
  • Electrical problems

Keep Your Garbage Disposal in Tip-Top Shape Year-Round

Maintain a high-performing garbage disposal at home all year-round with professional garbage disposal services from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Our team of licensed and experienced plumbers provides installation and maintenance support for garbage disposals to keep them running at top efficiency. Book an appointment today or call us at (844) 714-8261 to learn more about our available plumbing services.