Things To Avoid Putting In Your Garbage Disposal

I received this question from a reader recently and would like to take the time to answer it.

“Is there anything I am supposed to avoid putting down my garbage disposal?” –Heather, TX


I get this question a lot. Unfortunately it’s usually because a customer has a clogged sink because of a malfunctioning garbage disposal full of potato peels.


Its amazing what kind of abuse your garbage disposal can go through. Depending on the brand and horsepower, some outlast others given the same conditions. The best thing you can do for your disposal, no matter the brand or size, is to take care of it. Like I always say, it’s better to be safe than sorry, or in this case, soggy.


The first thing I would do would be to look under your sink at the disposal and find out what brand and model it is. I would then go online and look up the owner’s manual on it. The manual should have a guide for do’s and don’ts for your disposal. Manufacturer’s recommendations are always best, especially if there is a warranty involved.

Here is a generic list of do’s (to help clean it out) and don’ts (to help clog it up):

Do:

Don’t:

Ice Cubes (It was believed that it helped sharpen the blades, but more than anything, it helps knock out debris and cleans it out) Always run cold water while running your garbage disposal and even a few seconds after you turn it off (helps prevent over-heating and helps wash debris out) Use lemon slices to help freshen disposal Baking soda also helps freshen Make Lemon juice or Vinegar ice cubes to put down disposal, helps clean and freshen. (But don’t mix up with your regular ice cubes- could be a tasty surprise!)

Potato Peels, Apple Peels, Other Types of Peels Corn Husks, Celery, Other Fibrous Veggies Fats/Grease Paper/Plastic Coffee Grounds Bones Rice/Pasta (gets stuck, expands, and clogs easily) Egg Shells Any Shellfish Unpopped Popcorn Kernels/Seeds Fingers

Remember when is comes to putting food down your drain, Less is More!


If something does get stuck: Turn off Disposal, look for stuck items and remove carefully (It is recommended that you turn off power to disposal to ensure safety). If your disposal doesn’t turn back on after item(s) are removed (and you turned the power back on), find and hit the reset button on the actual machine under your sink. If that doesn’t work, or the clog won’t go away, call a plumber. You can also try using a plunger, a plumbing snake, or replacing the disposal yourself. Remember to be safe and if you are ever unsure, please call a plumber.

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