- Coffee grounds. It might appear like those coffee grounds would just slip right down your kitchen pipes, but in fact, 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. The majority of us cannot agree whether eggshells should stay out of your garbage disposal, but be aware that they can create serious troubles. The shell’s thin membrane can get stuck around your disposal’s blades, and it may lead to total destruction. So it is better to toss your eggshells in the trash where it belongs.
- Fruit seeds and pits. Small, hard objects should never be put down your garbage disposal. Fruit seeds and pits are definitely one of them. If you can’t cut the seeds or pit with a knife, your garbage disposal won’t be able to grind it up, also.
- Popcorn kernels. Just like fruit seeds, popcorn kernels are too hard for your disposal blades to grind. Although it is small, 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 nightmare, too.
- Bones and seafood shells. Very small bones and seafood shells might slip through the disposal without any hassle, but bigger 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 fascinating to simply wash your potato peels down the drain and let your disposal try to chew them up. But a lot of us didn’t know that 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 result in expensive plumbing repairs.
- Nuts. In some aspects, your garbage disposal blades are a lot like a blender. Whatever you put in 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 sometimes it releases some foul odors.
Besides those mentioned above, a golden rule for keeping 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 Dahlonega rental property, contact Real Property Management Stellar at 706-864-5456 to speak with a specialist Dahlonega property manager today!