How To Unclog Garbage Disposal

Is your garbage disposal system clogged? And looking for the step-by-step guide on “How To Unclog Garbage Disposal” then read this guide completely.

Introduction

The first and easiest solution to this problem is to call a plumber and have the garbage disposal repaired. But wait! Sometimes the problems are not as big as we think.

This one is usually helpful in removing food waste and scraps. It is also useful for cutting food into smaller pieces. However, you need to know how to use it properly to avoid a blockage.

So, by the end of this article, you will surely learn about the causes of clogging, unclogging the garbage disposal, preventive measures to save your garbage disposal from clogging, and much more.

Why is Garbage Disposal Clogged?

Before we learn how to unclog a garbage disposal, we need to know what causes a clog in your garbage disposal.

Most people will say that this happens due to the excessive amount of food thrown, but the fact is that there are several other reasons for a clog. Listed below are the causes of a clog in a garbage disposal.

1. Food

We know that this waste machine is often used for food waste. However, this is a misconception, because the waste recycling machine cannot process all the food you add.

Sometimes it becomes difficult to dispose of food such as seeds, bones, corn on the cob, etc. Other foods such as asparagus, banana peels, lettuce, etc. can also undoubtedly cause a blockage in the waste disposal machine.

2. Bulk Quantity of Food

A large amount of food waste clogs up the waste disposal system. This is another situation for which most people cannot find a suitable solution.

But the solution is simple! You don’t have to put all the food waste down the sink at once, which will cause the drain to clog. Instead, try putting some of the food waste into the sink, which can then easily flow under the appliance.

3. Non-Food Items

It is clearly stated that garbage disposers should only be used for food items. However, most people don’t focus on this and throw away their non-food items, such as plastic, foil, paper, and other elements. These non-food elements start damaging the disposal when they come in contact, resulting in a trash scrapping clog.

Incorrect Way Of Using Garbage Disposal

Do you switch off the garbage disposal immediately after use? This is an incorrect disposal method that contributes to clogging and means you need to think about how to clear a blockage in the garbage disposal.

Keeping the device on after the food-grinding process is the best way to use it. Meanwhile, please turn on the water and leave it for a minute to altogether remove the waste. This water will help to flow the entire waste particles to the disposal and keeps a clog away from the device.

So those were the most common causes that you can easily fix yourself without the help of a plumber. But as we said earlier, most people forget these things, which leads to a clog. So let us take a look at the best suggestions to unclog this machine.

Required Products For Unclogging Your Garbage Disposal

These are the following essential products you will need when unclogging garbage disposals.

1. Vinegar

2. Baking Soda

3. Plungers

4. Flashlight or Torch

5. Pliers

6. Wrench

7. Rock Salt

8. Dishwashing Gloves

Step-By-Step Process: How To Unclog Garbage Disposal

Unclogging the garbage disposal has several methods. However, please avoid the drain liquid cleaners, which can destroy the splash guard. Also, please do not put your hands in the waste chute as there is a risk of cutting your hands. Make sure that the appliance has cooled down before using the following methods.

1. Manual Checkup

It can be annoying if you don’t know the right solution. However, the first step is to examine the entire garbage disposal and find the clog. You can use a flashlight, pliers or tongs to help.

After you have found the clog, use pliers or tongs (depending on what you have at home) to loosen or remove the clog. Repeat this process until the blockage is removed from the appliance.

2. Use Baking Soda & Vinegar

Why call a plumber when you have this robust solution to unclog your trash scrapping? Nowadays, every woman uses baking soda and vinegar for different purposes. This is a handy and helpful trick to unclog the disposal.

Go to the waste disposal with a baking soda in your hand. Carefully pour it under the disposal. You can then start pouring vinegar into the waste disposal machine. Now wait for 20 minutes, as waiting will increase the bubbling process, which will indirectly clear the clog. Finally, use hot water to flush the entire mixture of clogged waste and food debris.

3. Use Plungers For Unclog A Garbage Disposal With Standing Water

Want to know how to unclog a garbage disposal with standing water? Then simply follow the steps below:

• First, take the highest rated plunger and hold it to the drain of the garbage disposal.
• Start pushing the drain plunger up and down. Make sure that the plunger sticks to the drain. If the plunger is no longer in the drain, your efforts will be in vain and you will have to start all over again.
• Press at least six to eight times. Now remove the plunger and add the water. If the water flows through, your efforts have been successful and the blockage has now been removed. If this is not the case, repeat the process until the standing water flows out unhindered.

Once the path of the flowing water is clear, you can run the hot water into the drain for three minutes. This will remove any residue and clean the drain.

4. Hex Wrench

The Hex Wrench is a hexagonal L-shaped device that you can use to clear the blockage under the disposal garage. When clearing blockages in waste disposal systems with this tool, you should think twice before using it.

This device can be offered with or without a garbage disposal. However, you will be given instructions on how to use this tool to clear the blockage under the machine. The easiest way is to hold the hexagonal end against the hexagonal hole of the disposal machine from the outside and make sure it is properly seated.

Then carefully move it clockwise and counterclockwise four to five times. This will rotate the blades. If the turning process becomes complicated, there is a blockage. You can remove the blockage by hand and repeat the process to check whether the blockage has been removed or not.

5. The Cold Water & Ice Cubes

If you are thinking about how to clean a garbage disposal machine, this hack is one of the best among the best. Start the appliance as soon as you put the ice cubes in the garbage disposal machine. After that, the ice cubes will start grinding in the appliance and your job is to add the cold water into the appliance.

This will get the trapped debris and food out of the waste garbage can. Now you can run the cold water, which will rinse out all the particles.

6. Ice & Rock Salt

Another way to remove clogs from the drain is to use ice and rock salt, which you normally use at home. Take a cup of rock salt along with ice cubes and put them in the trash can. Now it’s time to run cold water under the garbage.

When you put both in the garbage disposal, leave everything on top of the appliance. The process will remove the food or clogs, and your garbage disposal will work in better condition.

If the mystery is not solved even after searching for how to unclog the garbage disposal, it’s time to call the plumber now. He will check whether the P-Trap attached to the disposal is working correctly. Then you may have to reinstall that by paying charges to the plumber.

How To Prevent Clogging in Garbage Disposals?

Well, you may have heard that prevention is always better than cure. This quote is 100% matched with this scenario. But the main question is how to prevent clogging in the trash scrapping. If you follow the steps below, you will never need to call a plumber.

• Don’t add bones, avocado pits, corn cobs, etc., to your waste disposal.
• Avoiding the process of eggshells or coffee ground grounding is the best way to protect your garbage machine. The tiny particles of these materials stay in the trash scrapping, contributing to clogging under the garbage disposal.
• Ensure that you avoid adding potato peels to your waste removal. This may lead to a clog if the starch remains on the frown-up sinks.
• Don’t throw banana peels at your disposal when you eat a banana.
• Avoid flowing the liquid fat oil or grease into the trash scrapping machine. This can be a big mistake as they accumulate in one place and prevent food and water flow under the Removal.
• Once your work is done in the sink, start the water for thirty seconds or a minute to flow everything towards the disposal.
• Last but not least! You can read the complete instruction manual provided with the trash device at the time of purchase.

Once you start taking care of these small things, you can easily prevent your waste handling from getting clogged.

Conclusion

Here we rest our “How To Unclog Garbage Disposal” guide. We hope that you like this kitchen hack guide.

It happens when you mistakenly throw a banana peel into the sink or put in a bulk quantity of food waste after a dinner party. A plumber is the best option you can choose to repair the trash scrapping. But, this problem can be sorted out using a few tricks you must know if you have a waste management machine at home.

In the above article, we have mentioned multiple ways to unclog your trash scrapping to help you in the best possible manner. We have covered the essential things like vinegar, soap, soda, etc., to unclog the garbage disposals.

Similarly, this article has mentioned multiple precautions to avoid unclogging the trash scrapping. Thus, we hope that you will clean your trash scrapping device thoroughly.

FAQs

Q) How To Clean A Garbage Dispenser Using Citrus?

Ans: – Your machine may start smelling due to several food items. You can clean your trash scrapping using citrus peel in such conditions. Try to use lime, grapefruit, and lemon citrus to remove the smell. But don’t forget to cut them into small pieces that can be tolerated by the unit and run cold water during peel grindin.

Q) Is Hot Water & Dish Soap a Good Option To Clean Garbage Dispenser?

Ans: – Yes! Clean your garbage machine using the following steps.

• Use a sink stopper and plug it into the disposal drain. Now, add the dish soap and squirt it into the sink.
• Fill half of the sink with hot water.
• It’s time to turn on the disposal after releasing the sink stopper. Let that mixture flow in the drain.

It is one of the best methods that work for two issues at the same time. The waste removal is the first, and the drain line is the second.

Q) How To Clean Garbage Disposal Using Dish Soap?

Ans: – First, ensure that you turn off this device. After that, you can easily use any small brush that can enter under the splash guard flaps. You can use a toothbrush, which is suitable for reaching and scrubbing underneath. However, ensure that you are taking care of your hands.

Q) Boiling Water is Good For My Garbage Dispenser?

Ans: – Yes! You must pour the boiling water into your disposal’s drain and leave everything on it. It will clean your dispenser and flush out the real food particles to unclog the junk disposal.

Q) How To Use Borax To Clean Your Garbage Disposal?

Ans: – A white substance in the powdery form is considered the Borax cleaner. It is commonly used in laundries. But you can use it to unclog the garbage dispenser. Take a tablespoon, sprinkle the borax powder into the unit, and leave the cold water for at least 30 seconds.

Q) When Do I Need To Call A Professional Plumber To Fix Issues in Garbage Dispenser?

Ans: – A professional plumber is the last option for fixing the Junk disposal. However, you can call him when your junk disposal is making noise, spreading a bad smell, the switches are working improperly, or overflowing the water.

Q) Should I Regularly Maintain The Garbage Disposal?

Ans: – Yes! When you have a trash dispenser at your home, you can use ice and kosher salt to clean loose debris into it. Also, ensure that you start the water before and after the trash removal for at least one minute. This way, your garbage removal machine can live a long life.

Q) How Much Time Does It Need To Unclog Garbage Disposal?

Ans: – The required time depends on your chosen method to unclog the Junk removal. However, you will need only five minutes to use ice and rock salt. But calling a plumber and fixing the clogging issue will take longer.