Garbage disposals are a helpful tool many of us have in our kitchens. There’s quite a bit of misinformation that is commonly shared about the proper use of garbage disposals though! From what can safely be discarded down the disposal to how to sharpen the blades, many people rely on the misconceptions they have heard over the years. In this blog, we’ll tackle some of the most common garbage disposal myths, separate fact from fiction, and provide tips for keeping your disposal running smoothly and responsibly. Let’s clear the air—and your sink—about the truth behind garbage disposals.
Myth: Ice Cubes Will Sharpen the Blades
Ice cubes will by no means sharpen your disposal’s blades, but that doesn’t mean they should not be put down it. Ice cubes can actually be good for your disposal as they knock off any left over food bits on the blades. If you want even better cleaning results try making ice cubes out of lemon juice or vinegar to put down the disposal (don’t ingest them though!)
Myth: Egg Shells Will Sharpen the Blades
No only do egg shells not sharpen the blades, they should not even be put down the garbage disposal at all. This is because the membrane inside of the shells can get wrapped around the blades and cause damage.
Myth: The Water Only Needs to Run Until the Sink is Clear
Though the sink may seem clean, once the food goes down the disposal it still has a little ways to go once it is all gone. That is why you have to keep the water running for about 1 minute to make sure that all of the food is disposed of completely.
Myth: You Should Use Hot Water when Running the Disposal
When washing the dishes hot water is usually the best choice. However, when it comes to running the garbage disposal it is best to switch it cold. Why? Because hot water could cause any fat or grease in the disposal could melt and then re-solidify somewhere else and cause blockages.
Hopefully you will never have your garbage disposal fall through your sink, but if you do have any garbage disposal issue, please contact us.
