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Garbage Disposals: What Can and Can NOT Go in Them

Sink with Water Flowing Down into a Garbage DisposalOn the off chance that your Hampden rental house has a garbage disposal, you may have different sentiments about it. Several people appreciate them; yet, others despise how the disposal always seems to break down, usually provoking, even bigger predicaments. Luckily, a substantial number of these breakdowns can be avoided by understanding how to use and clean the garbage disposal properly, preventing damage and expensive repairs. So, although it’s true that disposals are prone to bad smells and clogs if not used and cleaned regularly, by abiding a few simple rules, it is possible to keep yours clean and functional.

Garbage disposal is one of the most helpful kitchen appliances when it is used effectively. Food scraps can be safely disposed of in a kitchen garbage disposal, a significant choice as compared to stinking up a garbage can. Most biodegradable food items, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, scraps of meat, and small pieces of citrus rinds, can be put down the garbage disposal with no issues.

In any case, there are a couple of big exceptions to that rule. Anything hard, like eggshells, bones, and fruit pits should never be put in a garbage disposal. The same goes for coffee grounds and popcorn kernels, which will rattle all over and get stuck in the disposal’s blades. Other foods like celery, pasta, rice, and potato peels ought to likewise be avoided because their stringy, starchy fibers can easily clog garbage disposal. Placing any of these things in your garbage disposal may cause your entire appliance to break down. Finally, grease should never be poured into the disposal. It coats the pipes and can lead to clogs and bad odors in your kitchen.

Now and then, a garbage disposal may still end up smelling bad as a result of decomposing food and grease that can get trapped in and around the disposal. Mold and bacteria can also grow on rubber strainer flanges and other areas, causing odors. The pros at Mr. Rooter suggest keeping odors away by running cold water every time you use the disposal, which helps flush out accumulating food matter. They likewise propose running the disposal a bit longer than when the grinding noises even out, about five extra seconds. To clean your disposal blades, try putting ice cubes and citrus peels in it from time to time. Both will help clean the blades and make your disposal smell fresh. With proper cleaning and maintenance, you can likely evade costly fixes and keep your rental property’s garbage disposal running well for quite a while.

Even good preventative measures won’t help much unless you are cleaning the property’s garbage disposal regularly. To learn how, consider using a professional guide to clean your appliance, such as the one found on the Mr. Rooter website. Also, if you have questions about garbage disposal use and maintenance, be sure to ask your landlord, property management company, or plumbing professional. Asking a question could mean the difference between a functional garbage disposal and a greasy, soupy mess in your sink.

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