Garbage Disposal Dos and Don’ts

Although the name “garbage disposal” may sound like an appliance for trash and waste, many items do not belong in your sink – especially garbage. It’s probably obvious that you shouldn’t put non-food items down the drain. However, you may be surprised by some of the foods that need to go straight to the trash can. Before we dive into those, here is a list of foods safe for your garbage disposal:

  • Fruit and vegetable scraps
  • Cooked meats
  • Small bones
  • Most liquid and soft foods
  • Ice

Your garbage disposal can easily grind up these items without any issues, and by properly disposing of your food waste, you’re helping your disposal run smoother, for longer.

15 Things That Should Never Make it Down Your Garbage Disposal

At Jack Ward & Sons Plumbing Company, drain cleaning is one of our commonly requested services. Many people simply do not know which foods they can and can’t put down the drain, or they have received conflicting advice. However, our licensed plumbers in Nashville do not advise putting any of these foods down your disposal, despite what you may have heard elsewhere:

  • Greases, oils, and fats
  • Corn husks
  • Artichokes
  • Coffee grounds
  • Pasta
  • Rice
  • Medium-large sized bones
  • Nuts
  • Onion skins
  • Pumpkin
  • Eggshells
  • Banana peels
  • Fruit pits
  • Seafood shells
  • Paint, trash, and any other non-food items

Your garbage disposal and water system are susceptible to clogging and potential damage from these substances. Some softer foods, like pasta, rice, and coffee grounds, expand when wet, forming a globby mess. Also, viscous liquids such as grease, oil, and fat can quickly congeal, so you should always avoid pouring them down the drain.

Garbage Disposal Maintenance

Over time, food debris can build up in your garbage disposal and produce foul odors. If you use yours daily, we recommend cleaning it once a week to avoid any bad smells in your kitchen. Sanitizing and maintaining your garbage disposal is an easy way to make sure it lasts as long as possible.

Garbage Disposal Repair Near Me

Jack Ward & Sons Plumbing Company provides garbage disposal plumbing services in Nashville and the surrounding areas. If you have drain issues or need to know how to unclog a garbage disposal, contact our team for assistance. We are experts in garbage disposal repair and drain cleaning, and no job is too big or too small for us!