Did your garbage disposal decide to grind to a halt? Is an unholy smell seeping up from the depths of your pipes? If so, you’re probably ready to try just about anything to get it to stop.
Before you jam a stick down the drain to try and break up the clog, there are a few tricks you should try. Here are some of our top appliance repair tips to try when your garbage disposal acts up.
Avoid Putting Large Scraps Down the Disposal
This tip might feel like it’s coming a bit late if your disposal is already broken, but it’s important to know so you can avoid the same problem in the future.
Many people assume that garbage disposals are trash cans that can take whatever scraps you throw down them. In reality, they’re only there to keep your kitchen drain from getting clogged by the small bits that could otherwise build up in the pipe.
When you’re using the sink, always make sure to scoop out as many large scraps as you can and dump them into the garbage or compost bin. Don’t let fibrous vegetables or grease go down the drain, and always run a steady stream of water while the disposal is working.
Flush the Disposal with Salt and Ice
Scraping out the garbage disposal by hand is dangerous, so it’s better to send something else down the drain to free the blades of buildup. Rock salt and ice cubes do a great job of this.
To use this trick, run the disposal and pour about two cups of ice down the drain. Once it goes through, follow it with a cup of rock salt (Kosher salt can also work in a pinch). Make sure to run the water the entire time.
The salt and ice cubes are abrasive enough to scrub the disposal’s inner-workings but aren’t hard enough to dull or break the blades.
Make a Baking Soda Volcano
Most chemical drain cleaners are the enemy of home appliance repairs. They clear out clogs, but they also damage your pipes and appliances. Instead, take a natural approach with baking soda and white vinegar.
Start by pouring one box of baking soda down the drain (do not run water at this point). Then, pour a half cup of white distilled vinegar down the drain. The chemical reaction will loosen clogs and fight foul odors without harming your plumbing.
Use a Citrus Deodorizer
If you don’t seem to have a clog but your drain smells bad nonetheless, leftover citrus peels work well as a deodorizer. As a bonus, the citric acid in the peels works to remove grease and soap scum.
Chop some leftover lemon, lime, or orange peels and run them down the disposal with white vinegar to fill your kitchen with a fresh smell. This is a trick you can use any time you have extra citrus peels to stay on top of unpleasant odors.
What if These Appliance Repair Tips Don’t Work?
Sometimes your garbage disposal needs more help than a simple cleaning or DIY fix can provide. If you’ve tried these appliance repair tips to no avail, it’s time to call your local appliance repair expert to come out and fix it for you.
If you live in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, or the surrounding area, don’t spend your time searching for appliance repair near me. Give Murphy’s Home Services a call. Our experts offer worry-free appliance repair, heating, and air conditioning service to homeowners like you all across northern Florida.
Contact us today to find out how we can get your garbage disposal working like new while saving you time and money.
