Last Updated on February 6, 2023
Having a waste disposal unit in your kitchen can be incredibly convenient and time-saving. But, it’s important to know what you should or shouldn’t put down the drain – so what can you put in a waste disposal unit? We’ll answer this question and provide some useful tips for maintaining your appliance too. Let’s get started on understanding exactly what can go into your sink – “can you put in a waste disposal unit?”
Table of Contents:
- What Can You Put in a Waste Disposal Unit?
- Foods That Should Not Go Down the Drain
- Tips for Maintaining Your Waste Disposal Unit
- Conclusion
What Can You Put in a Waste Disposal Unit?
Waste disposal units are a great way to get rid of food scraps and other organic waste quickly and easily. But what can you put in a waste disposal unit?
The short answer is that most types of soft, organic materials such as fruits, vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds, and small bones can be safely disposed of in your unit. However, there are some items that should never go down the drain. These include fibrous foods like celery stalks or corn husks; large bones; fat or grease; non-food items like paper towels or plastic wrap; and any type of metal object.
It’s also important to remember that while it may seem convenient to use your garbage disposal for everything from leftover dinner plates to coffee filters, this isn’t always the best idea. Overloading your unit with too much food at once can cause clogs and jams which could lead to costly repairs down the line. To keep things running smoothly, try breaking up larger pieces into smaller ones before disposing them in the sink. You should also avoid putting stringy foods such as celery stalks into the drain since they have a tendency to wrap around blades inside the unit causing it to jam up over time.
Finally, if you want your garbage disposal system to work properly for years to come then regular maintenance is key. Make sure you run cold water through it every time you turn on the switch so that all particles are washed away completely before being flushed out through pipes leading outside your home. Additionally, using an enzyme cleaner every few months will help break down any built-up gunk inside without having to take apart parts manually yourself; just make sure not to pour boiling hot water directly onto these cleaners as this could damage components within.
It’s important to know what can and cannot go down a waste disposal unit in order to ensure your drains stay clear. In the next section, we’ll look at some of the foods that should not be put into a waste disposal unit.
Foods That Should Not Go Down the Drain
We all know that it’s not a good idea to put certain items down the drain, but do you know what those items are? It’s important to be aware of which foods should never go down your waste disposal unit.
Bones: Bones can easily jam up your disposal unit and cause major damage. If you have bones left over from dinner, dispose of them in the trash instead.
Fibrous Vegetables: Fibrous vegetables like celery and artichokes contain strings that can wrap around the blades of your disposal unit and create clogs. To avoid this issue, compost these types of vegetables or throw them away in the garbage bin.
Coffee Grounds: Coffee grounds may seem harmless enough, but they actually expand when wet and can form a thick sludge inside your pipes that will eventually lead to clogs if not taken care of properly. Instead of putting coffee grounds down the drain, use them as fertiliser for plants or mix them into homemade facial scrubs.
Grease & Oil: Grease and oil are two substances that should never go down any type of drain because they solidify once cooled off and stick to pipe walls creating blockages further along in the system. To get rid of grease or oil safely, pour it into an old container with a lid on it before disposing it in the trashcan outside.
Fruit pits such as peach pits or avocado seeds can easily get stuck inside your pipes causing major problems later on, so make sure you always toss these out with other food scraps rather than trying to grind them up with your waste disposal unit.
It’s important to remember that certain foods should not go down the drain as they can damage your waste disposal unit and cause clogs. To ensure your waste disposal unit is functioning properly, follow these tips for maintaining it.
Tips for Maintaining Your Waste Disposal Unit
Maintaining your waste disposal unit is essential for keeping it running smoothly and efficiently. Here are some tips to help you do just that:
Cleaning: Cleaning your waste disposal unit regularly will help prevent clogs and keep it in good working order. You can use a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water to clean the inside of the unit. This will also help reduce any odours coming from the drain.
Cold Water: When running your waste disposal unit, always use cold water instead of hot or warm water. Hot or warm water can cause grease buildup which can lead to clogs in the pipes over time. Cold water helps solidify any food particles so they don’t get stuck in the blades or pipes.
Avoid Certain Items: There are certain items that should never be put down a waste disposal unit such as bones, fibrous vegetables (like celery), coffee grounds, eggshells, fruit pits/seeds, cooking oils/grease, starchy foods (like potatoes) and pasta/rice noodles. These items can damage the blades or create blockages in your plumbing system if not disposed of properly.
Finally, make sure you check for leaks around your sink periodically to ensure everything is connected correctly and there aren’t any cracks where debris could enter into your drainage system causing further problems down the line. With these simple maintenance tips, you will have peace of mind knowing that your waste disposal is running smoothly without worrying about potential issues arising from improper care.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to know what can you put in a waste disposal unit. Knowing which foods should not go down the drain can help prevent clogs and other problems that could arise from improper use of your waste disposal unit. With proper maintenance and understanding of what can be put in a waste disposal unit, you will be able to enjoy its convenience for years to come!
Paul is the type of person who never met a problem he couldn’t fix. He can always be found tinkering with something in his house, even if it isn’t broken! His tips and tricks are often shared on our site. He’s the one you call when something breaks because he has been known to improvise fixes for everything from leaky faucets to malfunctioning dryers.