Garbage disposal is possibly among those helpful kitchen appliances when it is utilized rightly. Food scraps can be safely disposed of in a kitchen garbage disposal, a much more reliable substitute than reeking 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 garbage disposal without any complications.
But there certain big exceptions to that rule. Anything hard, like eggshells, bones, and fruit pits should never be put in a garbage disposal. The same rule is still valid for coffee grounds and popcorn kernels, which will clatter around and get stuck in the disposal’s blades. Other foods like celery, pasta, rice, and potato peels should also be shunned because their stringy, starchy fibers can easily clog garbage disposal. Settling any of these things in your garbage disposal may cause your entire appliance to break down. Lastly, grease should never be poured into the disposal. It coats the pipes and can lead to clogs and bad odors in your kitchen.
There are moments when garbage disposal may still end up smelling bad because 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 advise keeping odors away by running cold water every time you use the disposal, which helps flush out accumulating food matter. They also recommend 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 better circumvent high-priced repairs and keep your rental property’s garbage disposal running well for a long time.
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 cleaning your appliance, such as the one found on the Mr. Rooter website. Additionally, 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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