Having a garbage disposal in your kitchen is a great way to efficiently deal with food matter that accumulates after washing the dishes. Most people thoroughly enjoy having one in their home, but that doesn’t deter some persistent rumors from spreading. In this article, we’d like to take some time to dispel a few of the common garbage disposal myths you may have encountered to help you better maintain and care for yours.
Myth #1: You can put anything down the garbage disposal.
While a garbage disposal is designed for grinding up food particles, it is not made to handle scraps like large bones, fruit pits, fibrous vegetables (like corn husks or raw celery), large amounts of coffee grounds, or greasy foods. These items can clog the drain pipes and even damage your garbage disposal.
Myth #2: Running cold water while you use the garbage disposal prevents clogs.
While cold water may help solidify fats, it won’t completely prevent clogs from forming if you’re putting things that your garbage disposal isn’t meant to handle (like the items we mentioned in #1) through the machine.
Myth #3: You can sharpen the blades of your garbage disposal by putting ice cubes through it.
Most garbage disposal blades are made from stainless steel and don’t require sharpening the way most other types of blades do. Grinding up ice cubes may help clean the blades, but it won’t sharpen them.
Myth #4: Putting citrus fruits or peels down the garbage disposal will eliminate odors.
Tossing a lemon rind or lime wedge down the disposal may mask odors for a short time, but it’s not a lasting solution for a smelly garbage disposal. Use a cleaner designed specifically for garbage disposals.