Everybody knows that a garbage disposal is one of the hardest-working appliances in the kitchen. If your Hamden rental home has one, then you must know that fact as well. However, even if it is a sturdy appliance, it doesn’t mean that it can handle all types of “garbage.” The truth is that most garbage disposals handle a lot of food scraps with ease, but there are some items that you must never put in a garbage disposal. In doing so, you could damage the disposal’s motor, blades, and more. To avoid expensive repairs and keep your garbage disposal working great, keep these items out of your kitchen sink.
- Coffee grounds. You may think that those coffee grounds would just slip right down your kitchen pipes, but actually, they can build up in your pipes and create a nasty sludge. Trying to grind them up with the disposal won’t do your disposal blades any good, either.
- Eggshells. Not everyone thinks that eggshells should stay out of your garbage disposal, but they can surely trigger real problems. The shell’s thin membrane can get stuck around your disposal’s blades and cause the whole thing to break down. It’s better just to toss your eggshells in the trash instead.
- Fruit seeds and pits. Small, hard objects should never be put down your garbage disposal. Fruit seed and pits are without a doubt in this category. If you can’t cut the seeds or pit with a knife, your garbage disposal won’t be able to grind it up, either.
- Popcorn kernels. Just like fruit seeds, popcorn kernels are too hard for your disposal blades to grind. Those kernels will get stuck in your disposal’s machinery and cause the whole thing to seize up. Getting them back out can be a real pain, too.
- Bones and seafood shells. Very small bones and seafood shells might slip through the disposal without too many issues, but larger ones will make a mess of your plumbing and your disposal unit, too. Most bones are too hard and dense for the disposal to break down. They will clog your pipes.
- Potato peels. It is quite tempting to simply wash your potato peels down the drain and let your disposal try to chew them up. But potato peels are full of starch, which will cause them to clump together in a thick paste that can clog your pipes. The same holds true for rice.
- Fibrous vegetables. Any type of vegetable that is stringy should be kept away from your garbage disposal. Celery, pumpkin, lettuce, artichokes, and asparagus can all get wrapped around your disposal’s blades. This can end up in expensive plumbing repairs.
- Nuts. In more ways than one, your garbage disposal blades are a lot like a blender. Anything you put down there will get ground up. When you grind nuts, the end product is nut butter, which is sticky and not at all good for your disposal or your pipes. It can stick to the walls of your pipes and the inside of your disposal, creating clogs and other sorts of problems.
Other than these eight items, always remember that a good way to keep your garbage disposal working properly is if you wouldn’t dump it down the drain, don’t put it in the disposal. By knowing what you shouldn’t put in a garbage disposal, you can avoid unnecessary maintenance calls and repairs. Your landlord will love you for it!
If you’re currently looking for a rental home or need help managing your Hamden rental property, contact Real Property Management Southern Connecticut at 203-821-7303 to speak with a professional Hamden property manager today!
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