You know how some days just don’t go as planned? I had one of those days last week…in a major way!
We had lots of plans for the day, but I had a wonderful schedule in my head so I could accomplish it ALL – then I went to get the chicken out of the freezer to thaw for Roasted Lemon Chicken. I opened the freezer door, but the light didn’t come on…and everything seemed just a little thawed. Yikes!
So I started grabbing everything I could out while I played a game of frozen food Tetris trying to fit as much as possible into the kitchen freezer. I saved almost everything with 10 minutes to spare until I needed to leave for a lunch date.
I ran to the backyard where Smalls was playing to usher him to the car, only to find he had created quite the mud puddle and was COVERED from head to toe.
So I threw him into the shower as quick as possible while I rinsed out his clothes and shoes. Only 5 minutes late now.
I turned around and The Baby has somehow removed his pants and diaper and pooped on the floor – and also all over himself. Time for shower number two!
I mopped up the mess as quickly as possible, dumped the mop bucket water in the sink…and felt it drain out the bottom all over my feet. The bottom of our garbage disposal had completely opened up.
Y’all. I was DONE.
I canceled our plans and called the plumber.
Thankfully, he was able to come right away – and he had some great tips for keeping a garbage disposal working at its best…and if I follow them, the new disposal will stay “new” for a long, long time.
Tips for a Fresh & Functioning Garbage Disposal
Did you know that there are actual rules for how to use a garbage disposal? I certainly didn’t, but after the lecture I got, I figured that I’d pass them along so that you could do better than I.
Compost Food Waste
Try not to put large amounts of food down the garbage disposal. While most garbage disposals will be able to handle the food, you’re far more likely to experience a clogged pipe this way. Trash or compost as much as possible first.
I keep a small countertop composter next to my sink now. Any compostable food scraps go there instead of my disposal. Thinks like banana peels, apple slices, celery stalks, etc.
Use Ice to Keep Things Moving
Periodically, drop a few cubes of ice down your disposal and run it. While it won’t sharpen the blades (as it commonly thought) it will help knock any lingering debris off the blades or the sides.
Know the “No” List
Know what cannot go down the garbage disposal! Bananas peels, corn husks, egg shells, coffee grounds, and onion skins can all get trapped or cause clogs in the unit. This can lead to costly repairs, leaks, and worse.
Use Cold, Not Hot, Water
Don’t run your disposal dry. Always run cold water while the garbage disposal is running – and keep running it for about a minute after the food is broken up to prevent clogs.
Clean Your Garbage Disposal Weekly
While you can purchase garbage disposal cleaning tabs at your local supermarket, they’re fairly expensive and contain chemicals that you probably don’t want in your house. But don’t worry – I’ve got a quick and easy recipe that’s much cheaper!
Cleaning your disposal on a weekly basis keeps it running in top condition, and will help prevent foul odors.
DIY Garbage Disposal Refresher Recipe
If you’re like me, you already have these items sitting around your kitchen because you use them all the time. You’ll need:
- 2 cups baking soda
- 1 cup salt (I use the cheapest salt I can find for cleaning recipes)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup liquid castile soap
- 30 drops of essential oils (some of my favorites are lemon, grapefruit, and Purification)
Start by mixing together the baking soda and salt. Slowly add your water in, then your soap. Drop in your essential oils and stir until combined. Scoop out the mix by the spoonful (I used this silicone spoon) and lay them onto parchment paper. Allow your
Allow your Disposal Refreshers to dry overnight and store them in an airtight container on your counter. When stored properly, these refreshers should last for months.
When making this recipe, I used essential oils. You’ve probably noticed that I use them a lot. That’s because I kind of have a love affair with them. My family uses them all the time, for everything. If you’d like to get started using essential oils, I would love to help!
I suggest starting with the Premium Starter Kit, which gets you all of this goodness:
If you’d like to get started, just go here. I can’t wait to help you learn how to use your new oils!
As for your garbage disposal, I hope that my recipe will help you avoid a funky smelling kitchen and having to call the plumber.