How to take care of your garbage disposal

A garbage disposal is a handy luxury that many homeowners do without. If you're lucky enough to have one of these appliances, it's essential that you take proper care of it. Otherwise, you could end up with dull blades, clogged pipes or a burnt-out motor. 

Here's an essential guide to taking care of your garbage disposal so it will always take care of you!

                   Take care of your garbage disposal with these easy tips. Take care of your garbage disposal with these easy tips.
 

Proper garbage disposal use
It's important that you understand the different items that you should and shouldn't put down your garbage disposal. This is crucial to maintaining a healthy appliance. Generally speaking, only biodegradable foods should be put into your disposal. This means no plastic, cigarette butts or paper. You should also avoid putting rice or pasta in the appliance, as these expand when in contact with water and can clog your drains. 

To run the appliance, start by turning on the cold water. This temperature will solidify any grease or oils so they get chopped up, and it will also keep the motor from overheating. Once the water is running, turn on the disposal and feed the garbage in a little bit at a time. Once it's finished grinding, let the faucet run for 30 more seconds. This will help flush the particles all the way through your pipes and help prevent clogs. 

Tips for cleaning your appliance
Just like your stove, microwave or fridge, your garbage disposal needs to be cleaned once in a while if it's going to run efficiently. There are a variety of ways you can clean the appliance, one of which is to grind up orange or lemon peels. This will help to eliminate any odors caused by decaying food particles. 

Another option is to use baking soda and vinegar to clear out the appliance. Simply sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, then pour 1 cup of vinegar over it. Let the mixture sit for five to 10 minutes – there will be lots of fizzing – then rinse with hot water. 

Finally, you can scrub the inside of your disposal with an old toothbrush or specially designed scrub brush. However, you should unplug the appliance to ensure it doesn't accidently get turned on. Even when the disposal is disabled, keep your fingers clear of the sharp blades. 

Protecting your garbage disposal
Even when you take great care of your garbage disposal, there's a chance that something could go wrong. That's why it's important to purchase a TotalProtect® Home Warranty to protect this appliance and the other big-ticket systems in your home. If the motor breaks or the electrical connections fail, your home warranty will ensure that you don't end up with the expensive repair or replacement bill. 

The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.