Garbage Disposal Do's and Don'ts: What You're Putting Down the Drain That's Costing You Money

May 7

The Kitchen Convenience That Becomes a Nightmare

Your garbage disposal seems like a magical solution for food waste. Flip a switch, and yesterday's dinner scraps vanish down the drain. But this convenient appliance isn't the indestructible waste management system many homeowners think it is. At S&S Waterworks, we've rescued countless Polk County garbage disposals from the aftermath of well-meaning homeowners treating them like trash compactors.

The truth is, garbage disposals have limits. Feed them the wrong things, and you'll face clogs, jams, foul odors, or complete breakdowns. Understanding what should and shouldn't go down your disposal can save you hundreds in repair bills and keep your kitchen running smoothly.

The Grease Trap: Why Oil and Your Disposal Don't Mix

Pouring cooking grease down your disposal might seem harmless since it's liquid when hot. This is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make. As grease cools, it solidifies, coating your pipes and creating blockages that grow worse with each greasy meal.

Even with hot water running, grease doesn't stay liquid for long once it enters your pipes. It clings to pipe walls, trapping other debris and eventually causing serious clogs that can affect your entire drain system. These grease clogs often form deep in your plumbing where they're expensive to reach and clear.

Instead, let cooking grease cool in a container and throw it in the trash. Your disposal and your pipes will last much longer. S&S Waterworks has seen too many expensive drain cleaning calls that could have been prevented by this simple habit change.

The Starch Problem: Pasta, Rice, and Your Disposal's Worst Enemy

Pasta and rice might seem harmless since they're soft, but they're terrible for your disposal. These starchy foods absorb water and expand, turning into a sticky, gluey mess inside your pipes. Even small amounts can create serious clogs over time.

Oatmeal, mashed potatoes, and other starchy foods cause similar problems. They don't break down cleanly in water and instead form paste-like substances that coat your pipes and trap other debris. This sticky buildup narrows your pipes and sets the stage for complete blockages.

The best practice is scraping these foods into the trash or compost bin. If small amounts do make it down the disposal, run plenty of cold water for at least 30 seconds after grinding to help push them through before they can settle and expand.

Coffee Grounds: The Slow-Motion Pipe Killer

Coffee grounds seem innocent enough. They're small, organic, and already wet. But they're actually one of the worst things you can put down your disposal. Coffee grounds don't break down in water. Instead, they clump together and settle in your pipes like sediment, gradually building up until water can barely pass through.

This buildup happens slowly, so you might not notice the problem for months. By the time your sink starts draining slowly, you've likely packed your pipes with pounds of coffee grounds that require professional cleaning to remove.

Your garden or compost bin loves coffee grounds. Your disposal doesn't. S&S Waterworks recommends keeping a small container near your coffee maker for grounds, then adding them to your garden where they'll actually do some good.

The Fibrous Food Fiasco: Strings That Strangle Your Disposal

Celery, asparagus, corn husks, and artichokes contain tough, fibrous strings that wrap around your disposal's blades like dental floss. These stringy materials don't grind cleanly. Instead, they create tangles that can jam the motor and prevent the blades from spinning.

Onion skins cause similar problems. Their thin, papery layers slip past the blades without grinding and often flow into your pipes where they can catch on rough spots and start collecting other debris.

Even banana peels, despite being soft, contain fibers that cause problems. The rule is simple: if you can see obvious strings or fibers in the food, it goes in the trash, not down the disposal.

Bones, Pits, and Shells: The Disposal Breakers

Your garbage disposal might sound tough, but it's not designed to handle hard materials like bones, fruit pits, or shellfish shells. These items damage the blades, stress the motor, and can cause immediate jams or long-term wear that leads to premature failure.

Even small chicken bones can cause problems. While your disposal might eventually break them down, the extended grinding time puts unnecessary strain on the motor. Larger bones or hard pits like those from peaches or avocados can jam the disposal completely, requiring professional repair.

Eggshells are controversial. Some people claim the shells help clean the disposal, but the membrane inside the shell can wrap around blades, and the small shell pieces can accumulate in pipes. S&S Waterworks recommends composting or trashing eggshells to be safe.

The Potato Peel Problem: When Good Vegetables Go Bad

Potato peels create a starchy paste similar to the pasta problem. But they also present another issue: volume. If you're peeling potatoes for a family dinner, you're generating a lot of peels that can overwhelm your disposal and pack into your pipes.

The starch in potato peels becomes extremely sticky when ground up with water. This paste-like substance coats your pipes and disposal blades, creating a surface that catches other debris and builds up over time.

Save your disposal the struggle and compost those peels or toss them in the trash. Your disposal will grind them, but you're creating future problems in exchange for temporary convenience.

Non-Food Items: When Common Sense Takes a Holiday

It seems obvious that non-food items shouldn't go down the disposal, yet S&S Waterworks regularly retrieves surprising objects from clogged disposals. Paper towels, plastic, glass, metal, cigarette butts, plant clippings, and other trash have no business near your disposal.

Even supposedly flushable items like wipes or dental floss should never go down the disposal. These materials don't break down in water and can cause serious clogs in your plumbing system. Rubber bands, twist ties, and small pieces of sponge often accidentally fall into disposals and cause problems.

Keep your disposal cover closed when not in use to prevent accidental introduction of non-food items. If something does fall in, turn off the disposal and use tongs or pliers to remove it before running the unit.

The Right Way to Use Your Disposal

Now that you know what to avoid, here's how to use your disposal correctly to maximize its life and efficiency. These simple habits can prevent most disposal problems Polk County homeowners face.

Always run cold water before, during, and for at least 30 seconds after using your disposal. Cold water keeps fats solid so they can be ground up and flushed through rather than coating your pipes. Hot water melts fats, which then solidify further down your pipes.

Feed waste gradually rather than cramming everything down at once. Your disposal needs time to grind materials properly. Overloading it can cause jams, incomplete grinding, and motor strain.

Cut larger items into smaller pieces before putting them down the disposal. This makes grinding easier and more complete, reducing the chance of clogs forming downstream.

Maintenance Habits That Extend Disposal Life

Regular maintenance keeps your disposal working efficiently and smelling fresh. These simple practices take just minutes but can add years to your disposal's life.

Once a week, grind a handful of ice cubes to help clean the blades and knock off any buildup. Following the ice with a cut-up lemon or lime adds a fresh scent and provides additional cleaning action.

Every month or two, grind a handful of rock salt with ice and cold water. This combination scours the grinding chamber and helps remove stuck-on debris.

If you notice odors, the disposal likely has food particles trapped in hard-to-reach areas. Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the disposal, let it sit for a few minutes, then flush with cold water. For stubborn smells, S&S Waterworks can perform a thorough cleaning.

When Things Go Wrong: Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your disposal hums but doesn't grind, something is jamming the blades. Turn off the power at the breaker, never just at the switch. Use a flashlight to look for obvious obstructions you can remove with tongs or pliers. Most disposals have a reset button on the bottom; try pressing it after clearing any jams.

If your disposal is completely dead, check the reset button first, then verify that the circuit breaker hasn't tripped. These simple fixes solve many disposal problems without requiring a service call.

For persistent jams, strange noises, or leaks, it's time to call S&S Waterworks. Attempting complex repairs yourself can make problems worse or pose safety hazards. Our technicians can quickly diagnose issues and recommend repair or replacement as appropriate.

Knowing When to Replace Rather Than Repair

Garbage disposals typically last 10 to 15 years with proper care. If yours is approaching this age and experiencing problems, replacement often makes more sense than repair. Modern disposals are more efficient, quieter, and more powerful than older models.

Frequent clogs, persistent leaks, or a motor that runs but doesn't grind effectively all suggest your disposal is near the end of its useful life. Rust, cracks, or visible deterioration are also signs that replacement is the better investment.

S&S Waterworks can help you select the right disposal for your household's needs and install it properly. We'll also show you the best practices for your new unit to help you get the maximum lifespan from your investment.

Small Changes, Big Savings

Your garbage disposal is a convenient kitchen tool when used correctly. By avoiding the common mistakes that damage disposals and clog pipes, you can enjoy this convenience without the costly repairs and frustrations that come from misuse.

The rules are simple: keep grease, starch, coffee grounds, fibrous foods, hard items, and non-food materials out of your disposal. Run cold water generously, feed waste gradually, and perform regular maintenance. These small habit changes can save you hundreds or thousands in repair bills over the years.

When problems do arise, S&S Waterworks is here to help. Our experienced Polk County technicians have seen every disposal issue imaginable and can get your kitchen back in working order quickly. Contact us today for disposal repair, replacement, or advice on proper use and maintenance. Your disposal might not be indestructible, but with the right care, it can serve you reliably for years to come.

Jeremy Ashburn