It’s summer cookout season! Keep these spoilers out of your sink and garbage disposal so you don’t stop the party.
It’s summer! Corn on the cob, hot dogs and hamburgers, potato chips, and popsicles! Where does the fun end? Hopefully your fun doesn’t end with an unhappy garbage disposal.
Summertime cookouts and parties bring many new foods and wastes to your kitchen including grease, so be sure to check out this list of food items that do not belong in the garbage disposal before you start your fun!
Common summer food items that will hurt your garbage disposal:
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Grease
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Cornhusks
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Carrots
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Melon rinds
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Celery
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Potato skins
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Cherries
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Large meat and poultry bones
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Mangoes
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Artichokes
Here are some summer foods that can be sent down the garbage disposal drain:
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Fruit and vegetable scraps
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Ice
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Small amounts of cooked meat
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Orange and citrus rinds
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Small bones
Garbage disposals need to be cleaned regularly, as they build up food particles and residue that can slow and wear your appliance down. Here are some common ways to clean your garbage disposal:
- Ice Cubes and Cold Water
The ice helps loosen food while the water flushes it down the drain.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar
Place about a half a cup of baking soda in your disposal followed with a cup of vinegar. Let this mixture sit for 5-10 minutes and then turn your disposal on with cold water.
- Citrus Peels
Any kind of citrus peel is good for deodorizing your sink. Be sure to cut the peels into small pieces and run cold water until your disposal works its magic.
Follow these tips if you want to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly. If you notice any leaks, humming noises, clogs, or foul odors and are unsure what to do, contact us today!