Most homeowners use their garbage disposal every day—but many don't realize that a few common kitchen items can lead to clogged drains, unpleasant odors, or even a damaged disposal.
Taking a few extra seconds can help prevent an unexpected plumbing repair.
🚫 Keep These Out of Your Garbage Disposal
🥓 Grease, Oil & Bacon Fat
They may go down as a liquid, but they cool and solidify inside your pipes, creating stubborn clogs.
☕ Coffee Grounds
They don't dissolve in water and often collect inside drain lines over time.
🥚 Eggshells
The shell fragments and inner membrane can contribute to buildup inside the disposal and drain.
🍝 Pasta, Rice & Bread
These foods absorb water and continue expanding after they go down the drain.
🌽 Fibrous Vegetables
Celery, corn husks, asparagus, onion skins, and artichokes can wrap around the disposal's moving parts.
🦴 Bones & Fruit Pits
Most residential disposals aren't designed to grind hard materials and can become damaged.
✅ Keep Your Disposal Running Smoothly
✔ Always run cold water before, during, and for several seconds after using the disposal.
✔ Feed food scraps in gradually instead of all at once.
✔ Grind a handful of ice cubes occasionally to help clean the grinding chamber.
✔ Freshen the disposal naturally with a few citrus peels (in moderation).
A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way
Most disposal problems we see could have been prevented with a few simple habits. A little maintenance today can help you avoid a clogged kitchen sink tomorrow.
If you ever have questions about your home's plumbing, we're always happy to help.