Summary

Disposers, or garbage disposals, and dishwashers are crucial in our kitchens, helping reduce waste and make cleanup easier. However, to keep them running smoothly and efficiently, it's essential to maintain them properly. Here are five best practices for each.

5 Best Practices for Keeping Your Disposer and Dishwasher Running Smoothly

5 Best Practices for Keeping Your Disposer and Dishwasher Running Smoothly

5 Best Practices for Keeping Your Disposer and Dishwasher Running Smoothly – Disposers, or garbage disposals, and dishwashers are crucial in our kitchens, helping reduce waste and make cleanup easier. However, to keep them running smoothly and efficiently, it’s essential to maintain them properly.

Here are five best practices for ensuring your disposer’s longevity:

  1. Be Mindful of What You Toss: Keep hard objects like bones and fruit pits away from the disposal. They can dull the blades and cause jams. Likewise, fibrous materials like celery, onion skins, and corn husks can tangle and block the mechanism. Also rice, coffee grounds and eggshells can cause a clog. Only put ¼ cup of food scraps at a time.
  2. Cold and Hot Water are equally important: The manufacturers state to use cold water in order to cool the disposer when in use for a long period of time. However, running hot water after you turn the disposer off is critical to making sure any fats, oils, and greases do not stick to your piping and are washed all the way out to the main sewer.
  3. Clean Regularly: Every couple of weeks, toss some ice cubes and some rock salt into the disposal. Turn it on and let it run for a minute. This helps in sharpening the blades and clearing out any lingering debris. For a fresh scent, add a few citrus peels!
  4. Run It Regularly: Even if you have nothing to grind up, turn your disposer on every few days. Doing so prevents rust and ensures all parts stay in motion.
  5. Safety First: Never insert your hand or any objects into the disposer to retrieve something. If your disposer jams, check out this handy YouTube video for guidance on addressing the issue.

5 Ways to Keep Your Dishwasher Working Properly

  1. Rinse Before Loading: Ensure larger food particles are rinsed off dishes before placing them in the dishwasher to prevent clogs.
  2. Regular Cleaning: Monthly, clean the dishwasher’s filter, spray arm, and door seal. This removes trapped food particles and maintains optimal performance.
  3. Use the Right Detergent: Ensure you use a detergent suited for your dishwasher model and local water hardness.
  4. Load Efficiently: Don’t overcrowd dishes. Ensure they’re properly spaced, allowing water and detergent to circulate.
  5. Inspect the Drain: Periodically, inspect the dishwasher drain for clogs or obstructions, ensuring efficient water flow.

When Your Dishwasher Stops Working Properly

If your dishwasher isn’t draining, it might be a clog in the plumbing connections or an issue with the pump. However, if the problem is more electrical or related to the machine’s functionality, it could be an appliance issue. Generally, if water isn’t leaving the dishwasher, a plumber can help. If the machine isn’t turning on, or specific cycles aren’t working, you might need an appliance repair service. When in doubt, give At Your Service Plumbing a call. We’ll guide you to the right solution for your Tacoma home and we have an appliance referral! 253-448-8178

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