Garbage Disposal Care: What You Should Never Put Down the Drain

A garbage disposal is one of the handiest kitchen appliances, making cleanup faster, reducing food waste in the trash, and helping keep odors at bay. But it’s not a “put anything down here” machine. Certain items can damage the disposal’s blades, clog your plumbing, or even cause foul smells that linger for days.

If you want your garbage disposal to run smoothly for years, here’s what you should never put down the drain.

1. Grease, Fats, and Oils

It might seem harmless to rinse cooking grease down with hot water, but once it cools, it solidifies and coats your pipes. Over time, this buildup can lead to stubborn clogs—not just in your kitchen drain but in your home’s entire plumbing system. Instead, collect grease in a container and throw it in the trash.

2. Fibrous Vegetables

Stringy or fibrous vegetables like celery, asparagus, corn husks, and artichokes can wrap around the disposal’s blades, jamming the motor and causing it to overheat. These items are better off being composted or tossed in the trash.

3. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds don’t seem dangerous, but they clump together inside pipes and create sludge-like blockages. While they may mask odors temporarily, they’re a long-term drain clog waiting to happen.

4. Pasta, Rice, and Bread

These foods expand when they absorb water, even after being cooked. Once they make their way into your pipes, they can swell, creating sticky clogs that are difficult to clear.

5. Bones and Fruit Pits

Your garbage disposal isn’t designed to handle hard objects like bones, peach pits, or avocado seeds. They can dull or break the blades and cause mechanical failure. Save your disposal for softer food scraps and dispose of these items in the trash.

6. Eggshells

Contrary to popular belief, eggshells don’t “sharpen” the blades. Instead, their thin membrane can wrap around the disposal’s moving parts, while the shell fragments can contribute to sediment buildup in your pipes.

Pro Tip: Keep It Fresh and Functional

Run cold water for several seconds before and after using your disposal to flush debris through the pipes. Grinding small pieces of citrus peel can also help freshen odors—just be sure not to overload it.

The Bottom Line

Treat your garbage disposal with care, and it will last much longer with fewer breakdowns. Avoiding these common problem items can save you from expensive repairs and messy plumbing emergencies. Contact Elk Grove Village Sewer & Plumbing for all your garbage disposal needs.