The Right Way to Use the Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal was designed to handle food scraps left on your dirty plate, not to take down large portions of leftovers. If you do have large quantities to dispose of, first consider trash or, if appropriate, your compost bin. You can send certain foods down the disposal if you cut larger items into smaller pieces and work slowly.

Use cold water (never hot) and let it run until the food waste has gone completely down the drain.

Never Put These 6 Things in Your Disposal

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner, that once-a-year feat of a feast, can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Be careful not to put any of these down the drain, regardless of how well you think your disposal works.

1. Turkey Skin and Bones

You should never put bones of any type down the disposal, but it's especially important to be mindful of turkey bones during Thanksgiving cleanup. Be really careful that small bones on dirty plate don’t make their way into the disposal. They won’t break down easily and can quickly jam your disposal and block your pipes. Always scrape them into the trash or compost instead.

2. Grease, Drippings, and Cooking Oils

It might be liquid when it goes down, but fats solidify in your pipes, creating slow drains or full-on backups. Instead, collect grease in a container, let it cool, and toss it in the trash.

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3. Potatoes

Starchy foods like potatoes form a gluey paste inside your pipes. That can lead to tough clogs, especially when mixed with other scraps. Vegetable skins are trouble for your disposal. Avoid putting mashed potatoes down the disposal, too.

4. Fibrous Veggies and Leafy Greens

Vegetables like celery, kale, carrots, or asparagus shouldn't go down the disposal either. These stringy foods tangle around the blades and strain your disposal’s motor, increasing the risk of damage.

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5. Eggshells

Despite the popular myth that eggshells should go down the disposal, it's actually not a good idea. Eggshells can contribute to buildup inside pipes and get caught in grease, causing bigger problems down the line.

6. Large Amounts of Anything

Even “safe” foods can cause issues if you overload the disposal. Break things down into small amounts and always run cold water before, during, and after use to help move things along.

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What to Do If You Get a Clog

If you find yourself facing a backed-up sink, try these DIY solutions before calling in the pros:

• Plunge it out like you would a toilet—yes, really!
• Try baking soda and vinegar. Pour baking soda down the drain and follow it with vinegar. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then follow it with hot water.
• For grease, squirt in some dish soap and flush with boiling water.

If none of these fixes clear your clog, then it's time to call the pros. One bit of advice before you host again: Invest in an inexpensive mesh sink strainer to catch kitchen scraps. Throw them in the trash, so they don't fall into the drain—and you won't push your holiday hosting luck again.