Extend the Life of Your Garbage Disposal

Just because it is called a garbage disposal, doesn’t mean all garbage can be put into it safely.  With a few guidelines of what not to put into your disposal, you can prolong the life of not only your disposal but your plumbing system as well.  To begin with, make sure to only put food waste into your disposal.  Household waste such as paper and cigarette butts can wreak havoc.  Small bones are fine, but large bones can actually break your garbage disposal beyond repair.  Fat and grease will not only coat the blades, they can create a clog in the pipes as well.  Try to avoid fibrous foods such as celery or corn husks that can wrap around the blades and keep the disposal from operating.  Large amounts of pasta, rice, or absorbent foods can expand in your pipes and contribute to clogs.  Coffee grounds and egg shells are two items that may seem fine for your disposal, but can actually create a clog in the pipes below it.  Extend the quality and quantity of time your disposal works for you with a little thought about what you’re putting into it.