Have you just had a garbage disposal installed in your kitchen and are concerned about how to use it correctly? A garbage disposal is a popular and common appliance in most modern kitchens. It is designed to grind food waste into small particles that can be easily flushed down the drain. While it is a convenient tool, a malfunctioning garbage disposal can be a nuisance and a potential safety hazard.
In this article, 5 ways to ensure your garbage disposal is working properly will be explored, so read on to learn more!
Use Cold Water While Running the Disposal
When using your garbage disposal, it is essential to use cold water. The cold water helps solidify the grease or oil in the food waste, making it easier for the disposal to grind it into small particles. It also helps to flush the particles down the drain more effectively. Running hot water while the disposal is in use can cause the fats and oils to liquefy and clog the drain, leading to potential plumbing problems.
Keep the Disposal Clean
You will want to do everything you can not to disrupt your garbage disposal for septic system from functioning as it should. Regular cleaning is essential to keep the garbage disposal in good working condition. The easiest way to clean the disposal successfully is to pour a small amount of liquid dish soap and cold water into the unit while it is running. This will remove any food particles and odor-causing bacteria. You could also try and use a mixture of household baking soda and vinegar to clean the disposal. Just pour half a cup of dry baking soda into the disposal, then add a cup of white vinegar. Let the foaming mixture sit for a few minutes, and then run cold water through it while also turning on the disposal.
Do Not Overload the Disposal
A common mistake many people make is overloading the garbage disposal with food waste. It is important to feed the disposal of small amounts of food waste at a time to prevent it from getting clogged or jammed. Avoid putting large bones, fruit pits, or hard vegetables like celery and corn cobs into the disposal. These can damage and dull the blades and cause the unit to malfunction.
Use the Disposal Regularly
Regular use of the garbage disposal helps to keep it in good working condition. When the disposal is not used for an extended period, the blades can become dull, and the unit can develop rust and corrosion. To prevent this, run the disposal for a few seconds every day, even if there is no food waste to grind.
Hire a Professional for Repairs
It goes without saying that even a well-maintained garbage disposal may need to be repaired or maintained, especially if the blades are dulled or slower than they were.
You will need to keep a sharp eye out for signs that there is an issue with the unit, and, whatever you do, don’t try to repair it yourself, as you may get an injury.
