Garbage disposal do’s and dont's

What goes down garbage disposal?

·         Small amounts of leftover food from you plate

What does not go down garbage disposals?

·         Anything that is not biodegradable food

·         Anything combustible

·         Plastic and metal

·         Cigarettes and butts

·         Bones from any animal

·         Hamburger

·         Bacon grease or other grease

·         Egg shells

·         Potato skins or large amount of potatoes

·         Corn on the cob or husks, lettuce, asparagus, onion skins and other fibrous fruits and vegetables.

More tips on how to keep you garbage disposal in good health

Just remember, whatever you wash down the sink must make it to the road (City Pipes). If you are doubtful that a piece of food will not get that far without causing a back –up. Don’t wash it down the sink. Anytime you put anything in your disposal make sure you run water for about 30 seconds before and after turning the disposal on. Too much of anything is not good. For example, small amounts of potato peels might be okay, but if your put a lot, you’re asking for trouble. The old saying is always right: “when in doubt, throw it out.” Consider running ice cubes in the unit as a means of cleaning the unit. The hard ice chips help knock down the scum layers that build up below the seal, and sharpen the grinder wheel. The only thing that should go into the garbage disposal is things left over after you scrape your plate into the garbage can. The disposal will have a tough time with foods like past, rice, add to disposal slowly and run plenty of water. It will have a really tough time with simple things like potato peels and won’t do well at all with onion skins, sections of onions or stringy vegetable like asparagus and celery. Remember to always run water long enough to ensure whatever food debris you have just deposited into your sink drain is washed along into the main pipe or you’ll be calling maintenance to snake your drain.

 By: Josh Coleman (service director for Essex Place Apartments)