Dos & Don'ts for Your Garbarge Disposal

Hey, we all have them!  American Home Shield gives us some great tips to keep our garbage disposals running clean and mean.

Here are a few excerpts from the full list (which happens to be AHS's *most read* article of 2010. Can you believe it?):

Do:

• Grind hard materials. Many people think food like chicken bones or small fruit pits are a no-no, but they can actually help clean the walls of the disposal.
• Use cold water for at least 20 seconds. This will solidify grease so that it can be ground up. Also, make sure that all food particles are washed completely down the drain.
• Keep it clean. One good way to eliminate drain smells is by grinding citrus fruit peels. You can also add a few drops of dish soap and let the disposal run for a few minutes.

Don't:

• Use hot water. This will make grease liquefy and build up, which can clog the drain.
• Turn off the motor too quickly. You'll want to make sure all food particles are completely ground. Once done, continue to run the water for at least 15 seconds to flush out particles.
• Wash coffee grounds down the drain. While they won't harm the disposal itself, they can clog pipes and drains.