How To Use And Maintain Your Garbage Disposal

Step 1: Turn On The Cold Water

When using the disposal, running water helps push the food through, converting the solid foods into paste. The cold water will help cool the motor while it spins.

Step 2: Start The Disposal

Look for the light switch that makes the most noise.

Step 3: Feed The Monster

Give him a little bit at a time. It won't take him long to work on these bites, but it slows him down a little bit. Too much will clog him up. Keep your fingers clear of the mouth. If food gets caught in the flaps, try to push it through with something other than your fingers.
Be sure that any hard items that could accidentally slip down the disposal, like silverware or small dishware, are clear of the drain. You don't want those falling in.

Step 4: Turn Off The Disposal

Let the water run for a moment to flush the disposal before turning it off.

Step 5: Clean The Blades

You should occasionally clean the grinding mechanism by adding some hard, abrasive items. Place about two cupfuls of ice cubes into the sink and run it through the disposal.

Step 6: Freshen Up

Ben Franklin once mused that people should eat rose petals to create more pleasant flatulence. On a similar note, sending some citrus rinds through the disposal can freshen it up, giving it a more pleasant aroma than that of grated trash.