8 Things You Can’t Put in the Disposal

In the event that your Shrewsbury rental home has a garbage disposal, you are probably aware that it is one of the hardest-working appliances in the kitchen. Except that it doesn’t automatically equal to it being able to handle all types of “garbage.” Even if most garbage disposals handle a lot of food scraps with ease, there are plenty of items that you must never put in a garbage disposal. Doing so could damage the disposal’s motor, blades, and more. To avoid expensive repairs and keep your garbage disposal working great, keep these items out of your kitchen sink.

1. Coffee grounds. It may appear as if those coffee grounds would just slip right down your kitchen pipes, but the truth is that 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.
2. Eggshells. Not everyone would agree that eggshells should stay out of your garbage disposal, but they can be the start for even bigger problems. The shell’s thin membrane can get stuck around your disposal’s blades and be the reason for the whole thing breaking down. It’s better to just toss your eggshells in the trash instead.
3. Fruit seeds and pits. Small, hard objects should never be put down your garbage disposal. Fruit seeds and pits are, without a doubt, in this category. If you can’t cut the seeds or pit with a knife, your garbage disposal won’t be able to grind it up, either.
4. Popcorn kernels. Just like fruit seeds, popcorn kernels are too hard for your disposal blades to grind. Those kernels will get stuck in your disposal’s machinery and cause the whole thing to seize up. Getting them back out can be real trouble, too.
5. Bones and seafood shells. Very small bones and seafood shells might slip through the disposal without too many issues, but larger 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.
6. Potato peels. It is enticing to simply wash your potato peels down the drain and let your disposal try to chew them up. However, 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.
7. 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 end up in expensive plumbing repairs.
8. Nuts. In some ways, your garbage disposal blades are a lot like a blender. Anything you put down 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 other kinds of problems.

Other than these eight items, a good rule of thumb 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 Shrewsbury rental property, contact Real Property Management Metro West-Worcester at 508-329-6000 to speak with a professional Shrewsbury property manager today!