How great is your garbage disposal? It makes kitchen clean up a snap – as long as you don’t crunch a fork in it. And as long as you keep it clean and working optimally. Your time-saving household tools and appliances are absolute wonders. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure to keep them in tip-top shape. There’s a lot you can do to keep the garbage going down the drain smoothly so that your trash can is less stinky and less food waste goes to the transfer station. When you find yourself with too big of a plumbing problem, or when you are busy and can’t fix a busted system yourself, call your friendly, neighborhood plumbing company!

The Don’ts

The No. 1 cause of marital tiffs is fighting over who put what down the kitchen sink. Well, that’s not a fact, but it feels true. You, your partner, your teenager, your mischievous younger kids, your well-meaning mother-in-law are all probably putting something down the drain that doesn’t belong. Here’s what shouldn’t go down there:

  • Potato peels – those, unsurprisingly, cause a starchy paste to build up
  • Banana peels – those will lead to stringy fibers in your pipes
  • Coffee grounds – cause an abundance of sludge
  • Egg shells – stick to the pipes
  • Glass – yes, some folks falsely believe they can sharpen their disposal by sending glass to crush down there. This is false. Don’t do it!
  • Bleach – another common, and very ill-advised addition, which hardens grease and destroys the living organism that is your working septic system.

The Do’s

Send lots of good, clean water rushing down the sink. It keeps the system healthy and flowing! Keep the water running for 30 seconds after all the food scraps go in. A degreasing detergent is good for your pipes. We love a green home product, but your garbage disposal needs to be clean. Something like Dawn is good to use, especially if you cook a lot with oil. We are all for sending citrus peels down the disposal, which keeps things running smoothly, and keeps your sink smelling lemon fresh.

Cleaning and Simple Maintenance

Always turn off the power before reaching your hand into your garbage disposal. Unplug it from the outlet, or turn off the breaker! Dish soap, an abrasive sponge and a little elbow grease can get in all the nooks and crannies you can reach. The Baffle and the Grinding Chamber are the parts you can easily do yourself. Baking soda and vinegar is a great way to give the system a good purge. Plus, it’s always a fun way to show the kids a little home science experimentation. 1 part baking soda followed by a slow pour of 1 part distilled white vinegar works well. Cover that with the rubber stopper, let it foam and fizz, then flush with plenty of water. No harsh chemicals required!

Making dinner, doing the dishes, making your house a home – these are all wonderful daily rituals that are better when your kitchen looks, feels, and smells its best. Keep it running smoothly. And call Knight’s Mechanical when your plumbing needs a professional.

Photo From: Depositiphotos

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