Your garbage disposal makes kitchen cleanup a breeze. However, you can’t throw everything down it; some items will break the disposal, clog the drain, or cause other issues. To help you keep your plumbing system in good working order, here are seven items you should never put down your garbage disposal.

4 Items That Don’t Belong in the Garbage Disposal

1. Bones & Other Non-Food Items 

Hard and strong, bones can break your garbage disposal’s blades. Even if they make it past the blades, they’ll likely reduce the disposal’s life span. Other non-food items shouldn’t go down the garbage disposal. Whether it’s a rubber band or a twist tie, it won’t properly break down and may damage the plumbing system.

2. Celery

Celery and other fibrous foods, such as asparagus and corn husks, contain strings that can wrap around your disposal’s blades and slow down the motor. To spare your disposal, toss them in the trash instead. 

3. Potato Peels 

Although you might like to peel potatoes over the kitchen sink, don’t let the peels go down the drain; the high amount of starch can form a thick paste and lead to clogs.

4. Coffee Grounds

While coffee grounds might appear to go down the disposal with no issue, they’ll eventually settle in your plumbing system and increase the chance of clogs. Luckily, coffee grounds make an excellent fertilizer. If you don’t want to throw them away, consider using them in a compost bin or spreading them in your garden. 

Accidents happen, so if one of these items ends up in your garbage disposal, turn to Wrightsman Plumbing Heating & Cooling in Beatrice, NE. Established in 1971, this trusted plumber and HVAC contractor serves residential and commercial clients throughout Gage County. Along with garbage disposal repair, their comprehensive services include drain cleaning, air conditioning maintenance, and furnace installation. Visit them online to learn more about their commitment to efficient plumbing, and call (402) 228-3100 for an estimate. Follow them on Facebook for advice and updates.