How to Take Care of Your Apartment Garbage Disposal

Having a garbage disposal in your apartment makes meal cleanup much easier. You don't have to worry about certain amounts of food still on plates and platters when it's time to do the dishes. The garbage disposal is not just fast, it also ensures food waste doesn't linger in your trashcan each week. Of course, to ensure your garbage disposal continues to provide reliable and problem-free service during your residence, it's important to treat the appliance the right way.

How can you prevent the situation of your garbage disposal not working and the sink not draining? We can help you take care of your apartment garbage disposal whether you use it or not.

Run with Water Once a Month

To run your garbage disposal safely, first turn on the cold water and run it down the disposal side of the kitchen sink drain. Then turn on the garbage disposal for a few seconds, or until the grinding sound becomes even and steady.

If there is a garbage disposal installed in your kitchen sink, run it at least once a month. Even if you don't use the garbage disposal, you can keep it in good condition just by running the sink and the disposal for a few seconds every few weeks. This ensures it is still running clear.

What Not to Put In the Garbage Disposal

There are things you can grind and things you can't. Most food scraps can go down the garbage disposal, but remember the list of "don'ts" to avoid maintenance problems later on.

Grease - it hardens in the pipes
Coffee grounds - clump and form clogs
Peels - catch the disposal blades and can clog
Rice - Sticky and expands in the pipes
Bones and Shells - can't be ground safely
Fruit pits - can't be ground
Corn husks and celery - catch in the disposal blades
Chicken skin - can bind up the blades

Don't Overload the Disposal

It can be tempting to get rid of all waste food through the garbage disposal. However, it's important not to overload the appliance. It can only grind and remove a limited amount of food at once, and the flow is limited ot the water flow in your sink. Overloading your garbage disposal is not just inefficient. It can also cause significant damage.

The best way is to scrape the larger debris from your dishes into the trash before you place dishes in the sink or dishwasher. The garbage disposal makes food scraps no problem, but should not be used for large quantities of food.

You can also break up food you want to dispose of into smaller amounts put through the garbage disposal more slowly with lots of running water.

If You Can't Chew It, Don't Grind It

What is too tough for the garbage disposal? Garbage disposals have sharp blades, but they can't shop up everything. Some things can even damage the blades, such as bones or corn husks. It's important to know what your garbage disposal can't handle, even if it's not on a do/don't list.

The rule for garbage disposals is: If you can't chew it, don't grind it.

If you can't chew something with your teeth - like bone, shell, or gristle - then it shouldn't go down the garbage disposal. It probably also shouldn't go down any drain.

Bleach Wash Drains Monthly

The best way to keep your drains and garbage disposal clean is with regular bleach rinses. This will remove any food-eating bacteria, flush organic material, and prevent fruit flies.

Regularly boil a pot of hot water, then add bleach and pour one pot down each drain in the house. This includes down the drain holding your garbage disposal. This routine is good for your drains, preventing clogs and other potential issues while keeping your garbage disposal and drains squeaky clean.

What to Do If Your Garbage Disposal Is Not Working

If your garbage disposal doesn't seem to be working, you can always call your onsite maintenance team to help if you live in an apartment community like Crystal Bay. If you don't have onsite maintenance to assist you, there are a few steps you can take before calling for maintenance.

Switch off the power and the breaker
Check for lost silverware
Rotate the disposal with an allen or hex wrench (socket in the bottom)
Remove obstructions (with the power fully OFF)
Flush with hot water and bleach
Flush with hot water and vinegar
Try the reset button, which is a red button underneath the sink on the outside of the disposal.

Call for maintenance if the safe DIY steps do not fix your garbage disposal problem.

Find a Townhome in Rochester, MN with a Garbage Disposal

If you are dreaming of a townhome in Rochester, MN, that has a garbage disposal and dishwasher, explore Crystal Bay Townhomes. Each townhome is designed with you in mind, including a garbage disposal and dishwasher to save you hours of time washing dishes every week. We also provide a maintenance team to help you with matters like a stuck garbage disposal or a clogged sink.

If you don't live in a community with maintenance services, proceed carefully and call a plumber when the problem exceeds your DIY safe skill level.