Garbage Disposal Mistakes: 24 Items You Should NEVER Throw In

Garbage Disposal Basics

Living in Phoenix means you rely on your garbage disposal daily. It helps keep your kitchen clean and free of food waste. But did you know that certain items can cause serious damage to your disposal system? If you aren’t careful, you may end up searching for “plumbing service near me” to fix a costly problem.

Chas Roberts is here to help you when needed, but we can also help you avoid having to call us for repairs with these simple steps. In this article, we’ll cover 24 things you should never put in your garbage disposal.

Coffee Grounds

While it might seem harmless to toss coffee grounds down the drain, they can build up over time and form a thick sludge. This sludge can clog your pipes and lead to expensive repairs. If your garbage disposal gets clogged, you might need to search “plumbing service near me” to help fix the mess.

Eggshells

Eggshells are another surprising item that doesn’t belong in the disposal. The thin membrane inside the shell can wrap around the blades, causing them to work less efficiently. Plus, the crushed shells may settle in your pipes, leading to blockages.

Grease and Oil

Grease, fats, and oils may be liquid when you pour them down the drain, but they solidify as they cool. This causes major clogs that are difficult to remove. Pouring grease into your garbage disposal is one of the worst things you can do.

Bones

It may be tempting to throw chicken or fish bones into the garbage disposal, but they can damage the blades. Even small bones can get stuck and lead to a broken unit. Keep the bones out to keep your disposal running smoothly.

Pasta and Rice

Pasta and rice expand when they absorb water, even after they’ve been cooked. If they end up in your disposal, they can create a sticky mess in your pipes. This can lead to clogs that leave you searching “plumbing service near me.”

Potato Peels

Potato peels are thin and starchy. When you put them in the garbage disposal, they can turn into a thick, glue-like paste that clogs your pipes. Instead of tossing them down the drain, throw them in the trash or compost bin.

Stringy Vegetables

Vegetables like celery, asparagus, and corn husks are stringy and fibrous. These fibers can wrap around the blades and stop them from spinning properly. Avoid putting these items in the garbage disposal to prevent jams.

Fruit Pits

Avocado pits, peach stones, and other hard fruit seeds are too tough for your garbage disposal to handle. They can break the blades or motor, causing expensive damage. It’s best to throw these in the trash.

Onion Skins

Onion skins are thin and can easily slip past the blades of the garbage disposal without being chopped up. They can then wrap around other debris and cause clogs. Toss onion skins in the trash to avoid trouble.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are hard and difficult for your garbage disposal to break down. Plus, when ground up, they create a paste similar to peanut butter, which can clog your pipes.

Fish Scales

Fish scales are tiny, but they can build up in your pipes over time. They can also create a foul odor if they get stuck in your garbage disposal. Make sure to scrape fish scales into the trash.

Paper Products

Even though paper may seem harmless, it can cause problems when placed in the garbage disposal. Paper doesn’t break down easily and can cause blockages that require help from a professional plumbing service.

Expired Medicine

Never dispose of expired medicine down the drain. Not only is it bad for your pipes, but it can also contaminate the water supply. Throw old medicine away properly by following your local disposal guidelines.

Shells from Shellfish

Like fruit pits, shells from shrimp, crabs, and lobsters are too tough for your garbage disposal. They can easily damage the blades or clog the drain.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal acts like pasta and rice, expanding when it gets wet. It can form a sticky paste that blocks your pipes. Avoid dumping oatmeal down your garbage disposal.

Cleaning Chemicals

Some people think using cleaning chemicals in their garbage disposal will help clean it. However, harsh chemicals can damage the blades and pipes. Stick to natural cleaners.

Flour

Flour can create a sticky paste that clogs your garbage disposal and pipes. Avoid putting it down the drain. Instead, throw it in the trash or compost it if possible.

Non-Food Items

Non-food items, such as plastic, metal, or paper clips, should never end up in your garbage disposal. These items can damage the blades and cause your disposal to break down.

Corn Cobs

Corn cobs are too tough for your garbage disposal to break down. They can get stuck in the blades or pipes, leading to a costly repair.

Large Amounts of Food

Even though your garbage disposal is designed for food waste, avoid dumping large quantities of food at once. This can overwhelm the disposal and cause it to malfunction. Feed food scraps in small amounts to prevent this.

Pits from Cherries and Olives

Like fruit pits, the hard stones from cherries and olives are too tough for your garbage disposal to handle. They can break the blades and lead to expensive repairs.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce can wrap around the blades of your garbage disposal, causing them to jam. It’s better to throw these in the compost or trash.

Citrus Peels

While a small amount of citrus peel can freshen up your disposal, large amounts can cause problems. The peels can clog the drain or damage the blades if they aren’t ground up properly.

Hair

Hair might seem like an odd item to find in the kitchen, but it can end up in your drain after cleaning or preparing food. Like in bathroom drains, hair can cause blockages that are difficult to remove.

Conclusion: Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running Smoothly

By avoiding these 24 items, you can keep your garbage disposal working efficiently and avoid costly repairs. If your disposal starts acting up, don’t hesitate to search “plumbing service near me,” and call Chas Roberts to get the problem fixed quickly. Keeping your disposal in good shape will help you avoid major headaches down the line.

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