Garbage disposals may be present in every home as it is a plumbing asset, but many homeowners fail to maintain them regularly. Without proper maintenance, your garbage disposal can become damaged. Clogs can lead to expensive repairs.
A Frisco plumber will suggest a replacement if problems are beyond repair. Fortunately, you can avoid clogs and other problems associated with your garbage disposal with regular cleaning and maintenance.
Proactive garbage disposal care can go a long way. These practices can save you money on repairs or replacement.
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Avoid Putting Objects That Can Block or Clog Your Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal will work properly once you make it a point to monitor the food that goes down your sink. Although the primary purpose of your garbage disposal is to remove excess food waste, it does not mean that large chunks of food are acceptable.
There are food items that can harm your unit and create clogs. If you continue to put these large food items, you can eventually damage the blades of your disposal. The food products you should not allow to go down the disposal are:
- Eggshells,
- Bread based products,
- Animal fat or bones
- Cooking oils,
- Plastic or paper materials,
- Tough vegetables.
How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal
You need to follow safety measures to ensure that your garbage disposal will last long.
- Avoid sticking your bare hands down your drain. Use a sink auger or an extended cable for removing any obstruction or breaking up food items.
- Power off or disconnect your garbage disposal before cleaning it. The outlet is usually located under your sink. If you are unable to locate it, you can also cut the electricity through the circuit breaker which provides power to the garbage disposal.
- Clean your garbage disposal right away to prevent unpleasant smells. By performing routine flushes, which involve running hot water down the drain, you will be able to reduce odors.
Other Simple Ways to Get Rid of Unpleasant Odors
There is no need to expose your garbage disposal to extreme measures to keep it clean. Use simple ways to remove any odors.
While chemical drain cleaners are often used for cleaning your garbage disposal, they are not advisable because they can cause corrosion, which can weaken your pipes’ integrity. These kitchen staples can help you clean your garbage disposal safely:
Citrus
If you want to combat unpleasant odors in a natural way, the use of citrus peels is the solution. While the peels may not be instrumental in cleaning your disposal, the oils can produce pleasant fragrance which can spread throughout your kitchen.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Vinegar and baking soda contain certain levels of acidity that can kill bacteria including E.Coli and salmonella. For this homemade mixture, pour 1/2 cup of vinegar and baking soda down the drain.
Allow the mixture to sit for approximately 15 minutes. If you have a stopper, you can use it for keeping the solution inside your garbage disposal. Rinse the solution by running hot water down your disposal for about one minute.
Ice and rock salt-You can get rid of the foul odors by using ice and rock salt. Be sure to disconnect your garbage disposal before performing this cleaning method. A dozen of cubes and a cup of rock salt are all you need for the process.
Drop the ice cubes down first before pouring a cup of rock salt. Turn the disposal back on before you run the water. Allow both to sit for a minute until the rock salt and ice have removed any buildup.
Your garbage disposal has many uses. It can be your handy tool so long as you take good care of it. With regular cleaning and maintenance, your disposal can have a longer life expectancy. Avoid allowing food products to sit long inside your unit as they can cause unpleasant odors.
Cleaning your drains is an essential step in preventing clogs and other types of damages. You will also need to hire a professional plumbing company like Lex’s Plumbing to ensure that your entire plumbing system is in good condition.
Lex’s Plumbing has highly trained plumbers that can safely and efficiently clean your drains. They are fully insured and licensed so you can have complete peace of mind once they clean your garbage disposal.
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