The proper use of a garbage disposal is essential to maintain its efficiency and longevity while avoiding clogs and costly repairs. While there's no one-size-fits-all rule for every garbage disposal, there are general guidelines and best practices to follow. It’s important to know a rule of thumb for garbage disposals, covering their use, maintenance, and troubleshooting with plumbers near me.

Use Cold Water: When running your garbage disposal, use cold water, not hot. Cold water helps solidify any grease or oils in the disposal, preventing them from sticking to the blades or clogging the drain.

Run Water Before and After: Always run water before and after using the disposal. This ensures that waste is flushed through the drain and helps prevent clogs. It's a good practice to run water for about 20-30 seconds before and after using the disposal.

Feed Food Waste Gradually: Don't overload the disposal with food waste all at once. Feed it gradually to prevent jams and allow the unit to process the waste efficiently. Avoid pushing large quantities of waste into the disposal in one go.

Cut Food into Small Pieces: To ease the strain on the garbage disposal, cut food into small pieces before disposing of it. This reduces the risk of jams and makes it easier for the blades to break down the waste.

Avoid Fibrous and Stringy Foods: Fibrous and stringy foods like corn husks, celery, and artichokes can wrap around the disposal's blades and impede their movement. Avoid putting such items down the disposal.

No Non-Food Items: Garbage disposals are meant for food waste only. Never put non-food items, such as paper, plastic, glass, or metal, into the disposal. Doing so can damage the unit and potentially cause dangerous situations.

Use Citrus Peels for Odor: To combat unpleasant odors in your garbage disposal, you can grind citrus peels or ice cubes with cold water. The citrus peels help freshen the unit, while ice cubes can clean the blades.

Regular Cleaning: Periodically clean your garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes and flushing with cold water. This helps remove debris and residue from the unit, keeping it clean and efficient.

Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners: Refrain from using chemical drain cleaners in your garbage disposal. These harsh chemicals can damage the disposal's components. If you encounter a clog, use alternative methods or consult a professional plumber.

Know What to Never Put In: Certain items should never be put into a garbage disposal. These include bones, eggshells, coffee grounds, pasta, rice, grease, oil, large fruit pits, and non-food items. Avoiding these items helps prevent damage and clogs.