Practicing Good Garbage Disposal Maintainence

There is most likely only two times in which you notice your garbage disposal: when you want to use it and when it is broken. However, there is a bit of preventative maintenance you should be doing all year long to keep this handy appliance in good condition.

First, it is important to understand the inner workings of a garbage disposal before you learn how to maintain it. Most of us don't think much about a garbage disposal being anything other than what we shove leftovers down and turn on. However, what it really contains is a series of rotating blades. Think of a food processor inside a drain, chopping up pieces of discarded food into bits as it sends them down the pipes.

One good process for sharpening these blades is to run four to five cups of ice down the garbage disposal while it is running. Although it will make a loud noise, the hardness of the ice is actually working to sharpen the internal blades. Next, rinse the disposal with cold water. This will remove any built-up grime on the inside of the appliance.

If you live in an area with extremely hard or mineral rich water, you will want to combat this in your garbage disposal as well. Pour two cups of white vinegar down the disposal. Wait about an hour or so before running anything in the sink or down the drain. Then, run water on the hottest setting for two to three minutes. The vinegar will remove stuck-on sediment, while the hot water will rinse it down the drain.

If garbage disposal odor is an issue, consider taking an additional step other than the two mentioned above. Cut citrus fruits, such as lemons or limes, up into two inch chunks. Place the fruits, rind included, into the garbage disposal. Turn the appliance on while running hot water down it. The acidity in the citrus will help get rid of any bacteria that is causing your garbage disposal to smell badly.

Finally, if none of the steps mentioned help your garbage disposal work any better, it is time to call a repairman. While costly, hiring a professional can save you the trouble of having to work with tools under a dark sink on an appliance you might not know a whole lot about. Once fixed, apply the preventative maintenance techniques once every month or two for best results.