Your garbage disposal does some heavy-duty work in your kitchen, especially when there are dirty dishes caked with leftovers. While it’s perfectly normal for your garbage disposal to have a clog from time to time, it doesn’t mean you have to halt all your dishwashing activities.
Most of the time, clearing out clogs in your garbage disposal is a fairly easy task. If your disposal isn’t draining properly, follow these easy steps to get your disposal back up and running.
Prepping to Unclog the Garbage Disposal
Before you begin unclogging the garbage disposal, you’ll want to take some important safety precautions. After all, your disposal is capable of breaking up all sorts of food scraps, so you want to be sure to keep your hands clear of the blades.
Clear the sink and always keep your hands and fingers out of the garbage disposal—even if the disposal is off. While garbage disposal blades are fairly dull, it’s best to prevent accidents and prioritize safety.
Make sure to address a clog in your garbage disposal as soon as it happens. If you run the motor without taking care of the clog, you can burn it out and cause damage. If there are other issues, you can try other troubleshooting tips for your garbage disposal to get it working properly.
6 Steps to Unclog Your Garbage Disposal
Turn Off the Disposal
Make sure to turn the disposal off and unplug it, tucking the plug into a dry place to keep it safe. While this is a simple step, it’s very important because it will prevent injuries as you unclog the disposal. Once you’ve unplugged it, turn it on to double-check that it’s no longer running.
Place a flat plunger over the sink drain to clear any standing water in the sink. Plungers use water pressure to push the water down the drain, which helps move any loose food clogging the disposal. Alternatively, you can also scoop any water that isn’t draining and place it in a bucket. Getting the excess water out of the way will allow you to see what’s clogging your disposal with more ease, so you’ll make less of a mess.
Check the Disposal
Once you’ve gotten rid of the excess water, take a flashlight and shine it into the disposal to see what is clogging it. Remember to keep your hands and fingers out of the drain. If you see anything in the disposal that may be causing the clog, use pliers or tongs to take it out. After doing this, plug in the disposal and see if the clogging is gone.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
If your sink is still clogged, grease, fat, or oil down the drain may be the culprit. Address this by sprinkling a ¼ cup of baking soda into the disposal, then pouring a ½ cup of white vinegar into the baking soda. This step helps dissolve any liquid fat that may be creating the clog. Once that’s through, turn on the disposal again to see if the water drains.
Reset Your Garbage Disposal
Turn off the power by unplugging the disposal again. Check the bottom of the garbage disposal unit and find the reset button. Press it, then turn the power back on to test it. If your disposal is still clogged, then it may be time to hire a local plumber to help.
Once your garbage disposal is working properly again, it’s important to keep it in its best shape. Keep your disposal from clogging by being careful about what you put into it. Clogs can also happen when you don’t use enough water when running the disposal or you place food into the disposal too quickly.
Anything starchy, including potato and banana peels
Grease or liquid fat
Eggshells or coffee grounds
Hard foods, including bones, nuts, pits
Additionally, only run cold water through your garbage disposal when pouring food down it, as hot water breaks down fats and oils and creates clogs. For maintenance, put wedges of lemon or other citrus fruits in the garbage disposal. It will prevent odors, and the acid will break down any buildup in the disposal.
DIY Plumbing vs. Hiring a Pro
While unclogging a garbage disposal can be simple, you may need professional help if you have a difficult clog. Only attempt to do this DIY while keeping your hands out of the disposal—you’ll know that it’s time to hire a professional if the job requires someone to put their hands in the disposal.
If you’re planning to unclog the disposal by yourself, the supplies for a DIY job cost about $5. If your garbage disposal is clogged and requires a professional, the cost to hire a local plumber is around $45 to $200 per hour. If they discover any major issues, your cost may go up, especially if you have to repair or replace the garbage disposal.
Additional Questions
Can you pour boiling water down the garbage disposal?
You can pour boiling water down the garbage disposal only when you’re cleaning it. Use hot water to flush baking soda and vinegar down the drain for a quick clean-up. For running food down the disposal, always use cold water.
How do you unclog a garbage disposal with standing water?
For disposal clogs with standing water, use a sink plunger and place it over the garbage disposal drain. Push the sink plunger up and down the drain about six to eight times before lifting. If the sink drains, it means the clogged food particles are dislodged from the drain. If there’s still standing water, repeat the steps until the standing water clears out.
