How to prevent clogs and jams in your garbage disposal

Keeping your garbage disposal running smoothly doesn’t have to be a hassle. With a few simple habits and some basic maintenance, you can prevent clogs and jams before they happen. By knowing what to avoid and how to take care of your disposal, you’ll save yourself time, money, and the frustration of dealing with backups. Let’s get into some easy tips to keep your garbage disposal in great shape.

Heads up: The tips in this article might not fit your exact appliance model. While we do our best to dish out useful advice for DIY repairs, different models and setups mean the steps, error codes, and parts might vary. For spot-on guidance, it’s a good idea to check out your appliance’s manual or see how to find your appliance’s model number.

Turn on the cold water when you’re using the disposal

Make sure you’ve got a steady stream of cold water flowing whenever the garbage disposal’s running. Cold water keeps grease and fat solid, so they get chopped up and washed away instead of sticking in the pipes. If you use hot water, it can melt the fats, and they’ll end up coating the blades and pipes, leading to clogs. So, don’t forget to turn on the cold tap every time you use the disposal.

Keep problematic foods out of the disposal

Avoid fibrous foods

Foods such as corn husks, celery stalks, onion skins, artichokes, and banana peels are fibrous and stringy. These fibers can wrap around the disposal blades, leading to tangles that may jam the motor. To avoid this issue, dispose of fibrous materials in the trash or compost them instead of putting them in the garbage disposal.

Avoid foods that expand

Pasta and rice may seem harmless, but they can expand when exposed to water, even after being processed by the garbage disposal. This swelling can accumulate and clog both the pipes and the disposal. To avoid blockages, it is best to dispose of these foods in the trash.

Avoid other problematic items

Coffee grounds, eggshells, and potato skins can accumulate over time and lead to clogs. Coffee grounds tend to form a dense, sludgy buildup, eggshell membranes can wrap around the blades, and potato skins, being starchy, can turn into a thick paste. Avoiding these materials in your garbage disposal will help prevent potential issues.

Deal with grease the right way

Grease, oil, and fat are well-known contributors to clogs. While they may initially flow down the drain as liquids, they can solidify and adhere to the interior of pipes, eventually causing blockages. To prevent this, pour grease into a disposable container, allow it to solidify, and then dispose of it in the trash. Taking this simple precaution can help you avoid costly plumbing issues in the future.

Read more: How to Clean a Garbage Disposal That Smells Bad

Keep up with regular maintenance

Use the disposal often

Running your garbage disposal frequently stops rust and corrosion, keeps all the parts moving, and keeps obstructions from building up. Even if you don’t have food scraps to grind, just run it with cold water and dish soap to keep things clean.

Give the drain stoppers a good clean

Drain stoppers tend to catch food bits and other gunk. After a while, this buildup can lead to clogs. Take out and clean your drain stoppers regularly to keep water flowing smoothly. This easy chore helps not just your disposal but your whole sink’s drainage.

Put in drain screens

Stick some drain screens over your sink drains to catch food scraps and other debris before they head into your plumbing. This helps stop stuff that shouldn’t go down the disposal from getting through. Make sure to empty and clean the screens regularly to keep them working well.

Try natural cleaning tricks

Harsh chemicals are unnecessary for maintaining a clean and fresh garbage disposal. A natural solution of baking soda and vinegar is highly effective. Simply pour half a cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Allow the mixture to fizz and bubble for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly with hot water. This method effectively removes buildup and deodorizes the disposal.

Read more: Easy Garbage Disposal Repair Guide

Skip the harsh chemicals

Avoid using bleach or commercial drain cleaners in your garbage disposal. Those harsh chemicals can damage the blades and pipes, making your disposal less efficient and possibly leading to expensive repairs. Stick with natural cleaning solutions and regular upkeep to keep your disposal running great.

Read more: How To Quickly And Easily Unclog Your Kitchen Double Sink With A Garbage Disposal

Help when you need it

If you’re dealing with issues beyond clogs and jams or need some specific repair tips, swing by our repair help section. We’re here to help with all sorts of appliance problems, offering guidance and resources to support your DIY repairs.

Taking care of your garbage disposal doesn’t have to be a big deal. With these easy tips, you can extend the life of your appliance and keep your kitchen running smoothly. For all your appliance parts and repair needs, head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We’re all about helping you keep your home running efficiently.

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