Kitchen

[CherryHugs]

We dont use the garbage disposal. I was wondering if there is something you can put down the disposal to keep it working when you dont use it? 

Due to not using it, it had stopped working and hubby got it running again.

I looked online to see what to put in the disposal to keep it working but its complicated and one site it has a list then another site says not to use those things!

Need it to be working or it has a terrible smell

[LizzieInSRQ]

Cup of ice

[Desertdi]

I quit cooking when I retired, so I don't have any garbage.....however, I run the thing with cold water once a week, so it doesn't "freeze up".  

[ValuSkr]

Just run it once in a while with the water running.  That's what I do.  I don't use the disposal either but, even with a strainer in the sink, small bits get through and accumulate and, in time, can jam the disposal.  Use the tool that came with the disposal to get it going again.  If that doesn't work, press the reset button on the bottom.

[CherryHugs]

Hi, there is no tool that came with disposal.  We looked for a button but didnt see one!

[PhilaLady1]

I read somewhere to use white vinegar.  Also baking soda.  I haven't tried either so I can't comment on results.  Seems to make sense, though.

[Tinkrbl44]

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@Desertdi wrote:

I quit cooking when I retired, so I don't have any garbage.....however, I run the thing with cold water once a week, so it doesn't "freeze up".  

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@Desertdi   @CherryHugs 

I do the same thing, and after running it with water I place a heaping tablespoon of baking soda down into the drain and let it sit there.  Keeps it fresh smelling.

[millieshops]

@CherryHugs   Even if you don't use it for garbage regularly, I was told I should have been running mine weekly.  I couldn't get it running myself when mine stopped, and the plumber I asked to look at it told me it wasn't worth paying him to try to fix it.   

I knew how little I used it and had lived years without ever having one, so I had him dismantle mine and when I replaced my countertop, I put in a new wide deep sink to replace the inconvenient double sinks original to my condo.  No garbage disposal.  

A friend who had removed their disposal when they put in new countertops told me that not one person asked about the disposal when their house was on the market.

[CoffeeNut]

Buy a lemon and cut it up into quarters and run that through the disposal once a week.  Keeps it running and keeps it fresh smelling.

[ValuSkr]

@CherryHugs   Google "garbage disposal tool."  It's a small thing you can get for $2 or $3 from Lowes / Home Depot.  Just make sure it's the right size for the make & model of your disposal.  To be on the safe side, you could probably order one from the manufacturer but it would be a little more expensive.

As for the reset button, I didn't think my disposal had one either.  Finally, with the disposal not working and me on the verge of replacing it, I looked again, found it, and voila!