The Do's and Don'ts for Your Garbage Disposal for a Clog-Free Kitchen

Your garbage disposal is one of the unsung heroes of your kitchen. It’s a convenient, powerful appliance that makes cleaning up after meals a breeze. But when it stops working, it can quickly turn into a messy, smelly problem. The key to avoiding a plumbing headache is understanding that a garbage disposal is a tool, not a trash can.

At Grant Mechanical, we’ve seen it all—from kitchen sinks humming with a stubborn jam to pipes clogged with the aftermath of a holiday feast. Proper usage is the best preventative maintenance. So, let’s break down the essential do’s and don’ts to keep your garbage disposal—and your plumbing—running smoothly.

The "Do's" of Garbage Disposal Use

Following these simple rules can add years to the life of your unit and prevent costly clogs.

DO run cold water. This is the most important step. Always turn on a strong stream of cold water before you flip the disposal switch. Keep the water running for at least 30 seconds after you turn off the disposal. The cold water solidifies any grease or oil, allowing the grinding components to chop them up. It also helps flush all food particles completely out of the unit and down the drain line.
DO grind small, soft food scraps. A garbage disposal is designed for leftover food on plates. Think of it as a helpful assistant for crumbs and small bits, not a substitute for your compost or trash bin.
DO use it regularly. Running your disposal frequently helps prevent rust and corrosion on the internal components. Even if you don’t have food scraps, run it with cold water for a few seconds every couple of days to keep things lubricated.
DO use ice cubes for cleaning. Occasionally, drop a handful of ice cubes down the disposal and run it. The ice helps dislodge built-up food residue from the grinding chamber and “sharpens” the impellers (the spinning components that crush food).
DO grind citrus peels. For a natural deodorizer, grind up a few lemon, lime, or orange peels with cold water. The peels will leave a fresh, pleasant scent in your kitchen.

The "Don'ts" of Garbage Disposal Use

Putting the wrong things down your disposal can lead to serious clogs, motor failure, and expensive plumbing repairs. Avoid these common culprits at all costs.

DON’T put fats, oils, or grease down the drain. This is the number one cause of kitchen clogs. While they are liquid when hot, they solidify as they cool, coating the inside of your pipes like a layer of wax. Over time, this buildup will create a nasty blockage.
DON’T dispose of fibrous or stringy foods. Items like celery stalks, corn husks, artichokes, asparagus, and banana peels contain tough, stringy fibers that can wrap around the disposal’s grinding components, causing it to jam or even burn out the motor.
DON’T put in hard-to-grind items. Your disposal is no match for large bones, fruit pits (like from a peach or avocado), or unpopped popcorn kernels. These can dull the impellers and cause damage to the motor.
DON’T grind starchy foods. Rice, pasta, and bread can be a nightmare for your disposal. When wet, they expand and create a thick, glue-like paste that can cause blockages in your drain line.
DON’T use hot water. Unlike with a traditional drain, hot water can melt fats and oils, allowing them to pass through the disposal and solidify further down the pipe, where they can be much harder to remove.
DON’T overfill the disposal. Instead of dumping a large amount of food down the drain at once, feed scraps in slowly and in small batches. This prevents the motor from being overworked and reduces the risk of a jam.
DON’T put non-food items in it. This might seem obvious, but things like paper towels, plastic wrappers, sponges, or bottle caps can cause significant damage to your disposal and your plumbing.

Need Help? We've Got You Covered.

Even with the best practices, plumbing issues can happen. If your garbage disposal is making strange noises, has a lingering odor, or just won’t turn on, it’s time to call in a professional. Ignoring a problem can turn a simple fix into a much larger, more expensive repair.

If you have managed to create a stubborn clog by forcing down items from the “dont” list above, you may need a professional drain cleaner like Roto-Rooter of Northern Michigan to clear that for you. If you have a leaky unit, or need a new garbage disposal installed, the team at Grant Mechanical is here to help. We’re proud to serve the Traverse City, Michigan community and provide expert plumbing services you can rely on.