Care for Garbage Disposals

Feed small chicken bones or other hard food materials through the disposal occasionally. These materials help to clean the disposal by scouring food deposits off the sides of the grinding chamber.

Use cold water when operating the disposal. While hot water can be run down the drain when not in use, disposals work best when cold water is used. Cold water also helps solidify fats and oils, allowing easier flushing.

Fill the garbage disposal with ice cubes. Turn the disposal on while running cold water. Do this once a month to remove oil and grease from the disposal walls.

Allow the disposal to operate, with water still running, for 30 seconds after all grinding noises have stopped, in order to flush all waste from the system.

Pack garbage loosely when using the disposal. Attempting to push too much waste through at once will jam the disposal.

Cut a lemon into quarters and feed one at a time into the disposal while water is running and the disposal is turned on, to reduce disposal odors. Alternately, pour ¼ cup of baking soda into the disposal and allow to sit for 1 hour. Pour boiling water into the disposal to flush the drain.

Use the disposal every time food waste is put into it. Acid from food waste may corrode the disposal if allowed to sit.