What Not To Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal is a convenient kitchen tool, but it’s not a catch-all for anything you want to get rid of. While it’s great for grinding up small food scraps, many common household items can seriously damage the disposal’s blades, clog the drain, or cause complete system failure. Knowing what NOT to put down your garbage disposal can save you from expensive repairs and a lot of frustration.

1. Grease, Oil, and Fat

Grease might go down the drain as a liquid, but once it cools, it solidifies. This thick, sticky substance can coat your disposal and pipes, leading to stubborn clogs and reduced performance. Over time, it can completely block your drainage system.

What to do instead: Let grease cool and dispose of it in the trash or collect it in a sealed container for proper disposal.

2. Fibrous Vegetables

Vegetables like celery, corn husks, asparagus, and artichokes have long, stringy fibers that can wrap around the disposal blades and motor, causing it to jam or wear out prematurely.

What to do instead: Compost these items or toss them in the trash to avoid damaging the blades.

3. Coffee Grounds

It might seem harmless, but coffee grounds can clump together and form a dense sludge in your pipes. This can contribute to blockages and slow drainage.

What to do instead: Use coffee grounds in your garden compost or dispose of them in the trash.

4. Eggshells

There’s a common myth that eggshells sharpen the blades. In reality, the membrane inside the shell can wrap around the blades and cause clogs. Additionally, ground shells can form a gritty paste that clogs your drain.

What to do instead: Compost eggshells or toss them in the garbage.

5. Bones and Fruit Pits

Garbage disposals aren’t designed to handle extremely hard items like chicken bones, steak bones, peach pits, or avocado seeds. These can break or jam the blades and may damage the motor.

What to do instead: Throw hard items like bones and pits directly into the trash.

6. Starchy Foods Like Pasta, Rice, and Potatoes

These items expand when wet and can become gummy inside your disposal or drainpipe. Over time, they can lead to serious clogs that require professional removal.

What to do instead: Only scrape small amounts into the disposal and dispose of larger portions in the trash.

7. Non-Food Items

This should go without saying, but sometimes utensils, bottle caps, plastic wrappers, or paper towels accidentally end up in the sink. These can cause immediate and severe damage to your disposal.

What to do instead: Always double-check what’s in the sink before running the disposal.

The Cost Of Ignoring These Warnings

Improper use of your garbage disposal can lead to broken blades, burned-out motors, and clogged drain lines. Professional repairs or full disposal replacements can cost hundreds of dollars—not to mention the inconvenience of a non-working kitchen sink. Preventative care and responsible usage are the best ways to extend the life of your disposal.

In Summary

Think of your garbage disposal as a helper, not a trash can. Treat it with care, and it will serve you well for years to come. When in doubt, toss questionable items in the trash—and if you ever hear strange noises or experience slow drainage, call a professional before the problem gets worse.