9 Things You Can Actually Put Down Your Garbage Disposal, According To Experts

When it comes to kitchen clean-up, the garbage disposal is a game changer. However, after speaking with experts, it’s clear that disposals aren’t quite the kitchen heroes we originally believed. In fact, there’s a long list of items that should never be put down a disposal (which

you can read here

). In short, despite what the name implies,

garbage disposals

aren’t as good at their job as the name implies, Hence, it’s easy to feel confused about what actually belongs in this still-handy appliance—and knowing exactly what can go down that drain is crucial to keeping it running smoothly and avoiding costly repairs.

While soft, cooked, non-fibrous foods are generally considered safe for disposals, most professionals recommend not overloading them or packing large amounts of any type of food to them. “A disposal is really designed to handle small scraps and bits remaining after plates have been scraped, not to replace the garbage can,” says licensed contractor Yaeir Moinzadeh, who owns

Blue Rise Roofing

.

To preserve the life of your

disposal

, Moinzadeh has a few suggestions: “Always turn cold water on and leave it running when using the disposal as this will help debris flow through the pipes more easily. Allow the water to run for at least 15 seconds before and after operating the disposal. When it stops making the grinding noise, continue running the disposal for a few more seconds to really clean out the debris.”

Now that you know how to keep your

garbage disposal

in tip-top shape, here are a few things that can safely be put down them, according to the experts:

Bread Crusts

“If you have old bread crusts lying around, don’t throw them in the trash bin, grind them down in a garbage disposal instead because bread crusts absorb nasty odors. Bread crusts can create a viscous mixture, so ensure you run plenty of water while grinding to prevent this,” says Danny Pen from

New Era Plumbing & HVAC

.

Leftover Wet Pet Food

“If you have a picky cat like mine, you might often find yourself tossing leftover pet food. Wet cat food can be safely ground up in your garbage disposal, but it’s best to avoid dry kibble, as it can cause damage,” says Elizabeth Shields, the Operations Manager of

Super Cleaning Service Louisville

, a professional cleaning company.

Eggshells

“While there’s some debate, small amounts of crushed eggshells can be beneficial as they help clean the blades and the inner walls of the disposal unit,” says Igor Bystrika, owner and master plumber at

RX-Plumbing and Drain,

based in Cumming, GA.

Pineapple Peels

“Pineapple peels can freshen the smell of your disposal,” says Pen from

New Era Plumbing & HVAC

.

Coffee Grounds

“While it’s not recommended in large quantities, a little bit of coffee grounds now and then is fine. They won’t clog your pipes if rinsed down with enough water,” says Bystrika from RX-Plumbing, that said, he does suggest only putting small quantities down the drain: “I’ve been getting more calls in recent years for coffee ground clogs, but pipes can still manage smaller amounts.”

Citrus peels

“Peels from lemons, limes, or oranges are great for freshening up the disposal and sink,” says Yaeir Moinzadeh a licensed contractor who owns

Blue Rise Roofing

.

Ice Cubes

“Ice cubes are great for cleaning the disposal-they help knock debris off as they’re crushed. Freeze vinegar in ice cube trays for added cleaning oomph. A little dish soap is okay, too, as it cleans and deodorizes,” says Yaeir Moinzadeh a licensed contractor and the owner of

Blue Rise Roofing

If you want to double up your disposal cleaning power, take this hint form

Planet Junk

owner Preston Black: “You can make ice cubes with lemon rinds and few drops of lemon juice to freshen up your [disposal] as well.”

Chamomile Or Peppermint Tea Bags

“To neutralize bad smells, you can put used chamomile or peppermint tea bags down the disposal. Just remember to remove staples and run plenty of water, » says Pen from New Era Plumbing & HVAC.

Dishwasher Pods

“It’s perfectly safe to toss a dishwasher pod into your garbage disposal to help clean and freshen any lingering odors. Just be sure to run water while using the disposal to flush away any leftover residue and food particles,” says Shields of

Super Cleaning Service Louisville

.