Maintaining Your Garbage Disposal

Having a garbage disposal is a great amenity in any home. However, we as renter’s are still responsible for the proper use of your disposal. To keep your disposal running well, and to keep your drains clear, please follow the following tips:


*Run cold water while the disposal is on. Keep disposer and water running for 30 to 60 seconds AFTER the waste matter has cleared your drain. The waste still has a distance to go. Cold water keeps the motor, bearings and shredder assembly from overheating. It also lets the waste go down easier because the water is pushing it down.

*Keep anything too hard out of the disposal. The shredder will dull and become less efficient. Small hard objects can also get stuck and jam the rotating parts. Do not put hard bones, shells or popcorn kernels down the disposal.

*Do not put fibrous or starchy items in the disposal. Both can cause particularly stubborn drain blockages (fibers get tangled, and starches get thick). The following items should not be put down your disposal:

             Banana peels, celery, potato peelings, corn husks, arti chokes, eggshells, coffee grounds or
             filters, fruit pits, hard seeds, or onion skins.

*Avoid placing trash or hard items down the disposal. Common sense will go a long way, but here are some examples of items to avoid:

             Twist ties, pull tabs, rubber bands, glass, screws, nails, utensils, cigarette butts, bottle caps, fabric,
             string, rags, plant or flower clip pings, toys, hair or grease.

*Remember that using a disposal is not a method of reducing garbage. Putting things down the disposal that can cause a clog can cause a potential problem for the neighbor below or next to you.

Following these simple tips can save you and you family the time and hassle of having a clogged sewer line, broken garbage disposal, or clogged sink!