Garbage Disposal Do's and Don'ts: Extend Your Disposal's Life by Years

Despite its name, a garbage disposal isn't designed to handle actual garbage. It's meant to grind small food scraps that accidentally make it into your drain—not serve as an alternative to your trash can. Misusing your disposal is the fastest way to cause clogs, damage the unit, and create plumbing problems that require professional repair.

The average garbage disposal lasts 8-15 years, but that lifespan can vary dramatically based on how you use it. Follow these do's and don'ts to keep your disposal running smoothly and avoid expensive repairs.

The Do's: Best Practices for Your Disposal

Do: Run Cold Water Before, During, and After

Always run cold water when using your disposal:

• Before: Start the water 5-10 seconds before turning on the disposal
• During: Keep water running the entire time the disposal is on
• After: Continue running water for 15-20 seconds after turning off the disposal

Why cold water? Cold water solidifies any fats or oils, allowing the disposal to break them up before they can coat your pipes. Hot water keeps fats liquid, which can lead to buildup and clogs further down your drain.

Do: Feed Food Gradually

Your disposal works best with a steady stream of small amounts:

• Feed items slowly rather than dumping large amounts at once
• Let the disposal clear each batch before adding more
• Cut larger items into smaller pieces first

Do: Clean Your Disposal Regularly

Regular cleaning prevents odors and buildup:

• Weekly: Grind ice cubes with a sprinkle of coarse salt to clean the grinding elements
• Bi-weekly: Grind citrus peels (lemon, lime, orange) to freshen and clean
• Monthly: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda followed by 1 cup vinegar, let fizz for 10 minutes, flush with hot water

Do: Run It Regularly

Even if you don't have food to grind:

• Run the disposal with water every few days
• Prevents rust and corrosion from inactivity
• Keeps parts moving freely
• Prevents buildup from hardening

Do: Know What's Safe to Grind

These items are generally safe for your disposal:

• Soft foods (cooked vegetables, fruit scraps)
• Small amounts of cooked meat
• Citrus rinds (in moderation)
• Ice cubes (for cleaning)
• Small bones (chicken, fish) - in moderation and depending on your disposal's power
• Egg shells (controversial—small amounts are okay, but they don't sharpen blades as myth suggests)

The Don'ts: What to Keep Out of Your Disposal

Don't: Pour Grease, Fats, or Oils

This is the number one cause of drain clogs:

• Problem: Grease solidifies in pipes, creating blockages that trap other debris
• Solution: Pour cooking grease into a container (like a coffee can) and dispose in the trash
• Includes: Bacon grease, butter, cooking oil, meat drippings, salad dressings

Don't: Grind Fibrous Foods

Stringy, fibrous vegetables wrap around the grinding elements:

• Celery
• Asparagus
• Corn husks and silk
• Onion skins
• Artichokes
• Rhubarb
• Lettuce and leafy greens

Why: The fibers don't break down properly and can tangle in the impellers, causing jams.

Don't: Put Starchy Foods Down

Starches expand and create a paste-like substance:

• Pasta and rice: Expand with water and create gluey clogs
• Potato peels: Create a starchy paste that coats pipes
• Bread: Becomes gummy and sticks to everything
• Oatmeal: Expands and solidifies

Don't: Dispose of Coffee Grounds

Despite going down easily, coffee grounds are problematic:

• They accumulate in pipes and create sediment-like blockages
• Mix with grease to form stubborn clogs
• Better alternative: Compost them or throw in trash

Don't: Grind Hard Items

These can damage or break your disposal:

• Fruit pits (peach, avocado, cherry)
• Large bones (beef, pork)
• Shellfish shells (crab, lobster, shrimp)
• Unpopped popcorn kernels
• Seeds and nuts in large quantities

Don't: Put Non-Food Items In

These should never go in your disposal:

• Glass, plastic, metal, or paper
• Rubber bands or twist ties
• Cigarette butts
• Plant trimmings
• Hair
• Paint or chemicals

Don't: Use Hot Water While Grinding

As mentioned earlier:

• Hot water liquefies grease, allowing it to coat pipes
• Always use cold water during operation
• Hot water is fine for cleaning after all food is cleared

Don't: Overfill the Disposal

Stuffing the disposal causes problems:

• Motor strain leading to burnout
• Incomplete grinding
• Jams and clogs
• Reduced lifespan

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Disposal Won't Turn On

1. Check that it's plugged in
2. Press the reset button on the bottom of the unit
3. Check your circuit breaker
4. If none of these work, the motor may have burned out

Disposal Hums But Doesn't Grind

This usually means something is jamming the impellers:

1. Turn off the disposal and power at the breaker
2. Use a flashlight to look for obstructions
3. Use tongs or pliers (never your hands) to remove debris
4. Insert an Allen wrench into the hex hole at the bottom of the unit and turn back and forth to free the impellers
5. Press reset and try again

Disposal Smells Bad

Odors mean food residue is stuck in the unit:

1. Grind ice and salt to scrub the grinding chamber
2. Grind citrus peels for freshness
3. Clean the rubber splash guard (remove and scrub with dish soap)
4. Use the baking soda and vinegar treatment

Disposal Drains Slowly

A clog is forming:

1. Run the disposal longer with plenty of cold water
2. Don't use chemical drain cleaners—they can damage the disposal
3. Try the baking soda and vinegar treatment
4. If the problem persists, the clog may be in the drain pipe and require professional attention

When to Replace Your Disposal

Consider replacement if you experience:

• Frequent resets required
• Persistent odors despite cleaning
• Unusual noises
• Water leaking from the unit
• Consistently poor performance
• Unit is more than 10 years old with ongoing issues

The Bottom Line

Your garbage disposal is a convenience, not a cure-all for food waste. Treat it properly—using cold water, feeding it gradually, and keeping problematic items out—and it will serve you reliably for many years. When in doubt, throw it out (in the trash, that is).

Remember: the best clogs are the ones you prevent. A little care now saves significant plumbing bills later.