We’re all guilty of doing it: when we are begrudgingly doing the dishes, rather than throwing left overs in the compost bin, we just flush them down the sink’s garbage disposal. And while there is nothing necessarily wrong with this, there is only so much garbage disposals can take.

You are going to run into some problems with your garbage disposal sooner or later, which is why we wrote this blog post. Read on to learn how to care for one of the most convenient appliances in your kitchen.

How to care for your garbage disposal

There are many simple tricks that can make all the difference when caring for your garbage disposal –– and we are here to share them with you.

First order of business, always make sure to run some water when you are grinding something down. Think about it: imagine using a blender without any type of liquid. Not pretty, right? Water can help your garbage disposal break down food residue and ease the grinding process.

Another related tip is that you should avoid using hot water, for it keeps fats congealed and solid inside the garbage disposal. Instead, use cold water since it can help break down your food and make the process easier for your sink equipment.

The last order of business is an obvious one. While it is tempting to throw almost anything down the garbage disposal, you should avoid dispensing with bones and other hard items. The blades in your sink are not very strong, after all, and they could be easily broken or jammed.

How to deal with funny odors

One of the main problems with garbage disposals is that they are known for emitting funky smells. Fortunately for you, that can be taken care of easily.

The easiest way to deal with smelly garbage disposals is by throwing in a lemon or lime. Yes, you heard that right. The science behind this is that citrus is a natural deodorizer, which means it can basically kill bad smells. Simply cut up some think lemon slices and grind them down –– instead of bad smells, you kitchen sink will be releasing some more pleasant notes.

Need to replace your equipment?

No matter how well you take care of your garbage disposal, there will come a day when you will simply just have to get a new one. When that day comes, we recommend turning to Preferred Plumbing & Rooter –– their repair and replacement services are impossible to beat. If you are in the surrounding Los Angeles area, give them a call today: (877) 298-8105.