Garbage Disposal Do’s and Don’ts: What Every Fredericksburg Homeowner Should Know

✅ The Do’s of Garbage Disposal Care

1. Run Cold Water When Using the Disposal
Always run a strong stream of cold water before, during, and after using the disposal. Cold water helps solidify any grease or oils so they can be ground up and flushed down.

2. Cut Up Large Scraps
If you’re disposing of small scraps, that’s fine—but large pieces of food or fruit peels should be cut into smaller bits first. This reduces strain on the disposal motor and helps prevent clogs.

3. Use It Regularly
Running your disposal regularly prevents rust and corrosion, and keeps parts from seizing up. Even if you don’t have food to grind, running it with cold water can help keep it clear.

4. Use Dish Soap and Cold Water for Cleaning
Periodically run your disposal with a few drops of dish soap and cold water. This keeps it clean and helps eliminate odors.

5. Use Ice Cubes and Citrus Peels Occasionally
Ice cubes help sharpen blades (or more accurately, clean grinding components), while citrus peels freshen the unit and help fight odors naturally.

❌ The Don’ts of Garbage Disposal Use

1. Don’t Pour Grease, Oil, or Fat Down the Drain
This is a big one. These substances cool and solidify in your pipes, leading to serious clogs—not just in your disposal, but in your sewer line.

2. Don’t Use Hot Water When Grinding
Hot water melts fat and grease, allowing it to cling to your disposal and pipes. Stick to cold water to solidify and flush it out instead.

3. Don’t Grind Fibrous Foods
Celery, corn husks, onion skins, and artichokes are all bad news for your disposal. These fibrous materials can wrap around the blades or jam the motor.

4. Don’t Overload the Disposal
Feeding your disposal too much at once is a recipe for clogs or overheating. Feed scraps slowly and in small amounts.

5. Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals or Drain Cleaners
These can damage your disposal’s internal components and are harmful to your plumbing system overall. Use natural cleaners like baking soda and vinegar instead.

⚠️ Common Garbage Disposal Myths (Debunked)

“My disposal can handle anything.”
Not true. Even high-end disposals have limits. Bones, coffee grounds, and pasta can all cause problems.

“Lemon peels clean the disposal.”
Partially true. They do help with odor, but they don’t actually clean the blades or grinding chamber. Use baking soda and vinegar or ice cubes for that.

“Hot water is better for grinding.”
Nope. Cold water is better because it helps fats and greases solidify and move through your plumbing system.

“Disposals sharpen their own blades.”
Disposals don’t have sharp blades—they have impellers that grind food against a ring. Ice cubes can help clean the grinding components, but they won’t “sharpen” anything.

💪 Why Upgrade to a Higher Horsepower Garbage Disposal?

In many Fredericksburg homes, especially older ones, disposals are often underpowered for today’s modern kitchen demands. Here’s why upgrading makes sense:

1. More Power, Less Jamming

Higher horsepower units (¾ HP to 1 HP) are better at grinding tougher food waste without stalling. This reduces the chance of clogs and jams.

2. Quieter Operation

Premium, higher-HP disposals often come with sound insulation features, making them noticeably quieter—great for open-concept kitchens.

3. Longer Lifespan

More powerful units generally experience less strain during operation, which can lead to a longer lifespan.

4. Better for Families

If you’re in a household with kids or frequent guests, you’re probably using the disposal more than average. A more robust motor can keep up without wearing out.

5. Can Handle More Types of Waste

Higher-end units can handle small bones, tougher vegetable peels, and more fibrous foods. While you still want to be cautious, they’re simply more forgiving.

👨‍🔧 Need Help with a Disposal Issue in Fredericksburg?

At Plumb iQ, we provide expert garbage disposal installation, repair, and replacement across Fredericksburg and the surrounding Northern Virginia area. Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn clog, a leaking unit, or you’re ready to upgrade to a more powerful model, our trained professionals can help you choose the right option for your home and install it properly.

We only install trusted, high-quality brands and we back our workmanship so you can enjoy true peace of mind.

🛠️ Final Thoughts: Take Care of Your Disposal, and It’ll Take Care of You

A garbage disposal is a modern convenience that, when cared for properly, can serve your family well for years. By following these simple do’s and don’ts, avoiding common misconceptions, and considering an upgrade if your current model is struggling, you can keep your kitchen clean, efficient, and trouble-free.

Have questions or need service?
Contact Plumb iQ today—we’re proud to serve Fredericksburg with smarter plumbing solutions, including expert garbage disposal services.