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Garbage disposals are great appliances to have. But if you don’t operate or maintain it properly, it can require expensive repairs and cause drain nightmares.

Here are a few do’s and don’ts to extend its life and prevent plumbing and drain mishaps:??

DO’S:

• Use a strong flow of cold water (never hot) when you grind food and keep the disposal running at least 30 seconds after grinding has stopped so that all food particles are flushed through the drain line. Cold water will also solidify any fatty and greasy waste so it is chopped up and flushed down the drain (hot water will make fat and grease liquefy and coagulate).
• Grind peelings of citrus fruits to freshen up drain smells.
• Grind some ice cubes up in the disposal. The scouring action created will help clean the disposal walls.
• Pour a little dish soap in the disposal after washing dishes and let the cold water run for a minute or so.

DON’TS:

• Pour grease or fat into your garbage disposal. It will impede its grinding ability and eventually clog the drain.
• Use hot water with your disposal. Hot water will cause grease to liquefy and clog the disposal.
• Put expandable foods like rice in the disposal. These food expand like they do in a pot and will clog your drain.
• Grind fibrous materials like corn husks or onion skins. These fibers can tangle and jam the disposal.

If you do have a clogged disposal or drain, call a professional plumber to fix it before it becomes a major problem.?