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Your garbage disposal is a great way to get rid of food waste that would normally create unpleasant odors in your garbage can, you need to make sure you take the right steps to keep it working properly. Full service plumbing company, Bernie Buchner Inc has provided over 60 years of expert plumbing services for residents and businesses in La Crosse, WI. Their highly qualified plumbers have a few tips on how you can keep your garbage disposal maintained and problem-free.

What are some things you can do to keep your garbage disposal working its best?

  • Avoid Hard Waste: Putting hard food items down your disposal such as bones, unpopped popcorn kernels, or shells from shellfish can dull the blades and make your garbage disposal less efficient. Small hard pieces can also get caught in the moving parts and cause it to jam, prompting a call to your plumber for repairs.
  • plumberKeep Grease Out: Pouring grease, oil, or fat down your drain may be a convenient method of disposal, but these can actually cover the blades in a film that will make them less effective. When the grease or oil gets old, it will create an unpleasant smell in your kitchen. Grease can also solidify and accumulate in your drain, causing clogs and backups that will need the services of a plumber.
  • Avoid Fibrous & Starchy Foods: The strings in fibrous foods can get tangled around the blades and make your disposal unit inoperable. Some fibrous foods that should not go down your disposal are celery, corn husks, potato peels, carrots, and asparagus. Foods that contain starch—such as pasta, rice, and potatoes—can expand in water and become pasty, which can clog your drain. Make sure you toss these foods into your trash can instead.
  • Keep Non-Food Items Out: Paper, plastic, glass, and metal are materials that should always be kept out of your garbage disposal. Other items that have been found are rubber bands, cigarette butts, rags and other fabric, sponges, flower clippings, and coffee grounds. These are all items that cannot be broken down completely by your garbage disposal and will not wash down your drain.
  • Citrus Fruit: If your garbage disposal has a bad odor you can help to neutralize the smell by grinding a citrus fruit like lemons or oranges. Simply cut the fruit into wedges, turn the disposal on and put the wedges down one at a time along with a steady stream of cool water. The fruit rinds will help to clean the grind components while the citrus scent will provide a fresh smell. If you want use something harder than a citrus fruit you can cut a peach in half and place it down the disposal. And throw in the pit. The hard peach pit will help to dislodge any food waste that is stuck in the disposal.

Contact Bernie Buchner at (608) 784-9000 when you need a professional for your garbage disposal repairs or want quality plumbing repairs. Learn more about their additional plumbing services by visiting their website.

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