Nobody enjoys a sluggish garbage disposal that food scraps can’t grind through. This common kitchen annoyance means dirty dishes pile up faster. But with the right DIY technique, you can unclog your garbage disposal and restore smooth operation. Simple fixes like baking soda and vinegar, manually turning the blades, or plunging the drain, as well as cleaning out built-up debris, are possible without a service call. Let’s explore some handy solutions.
Common Causes of a Sluggish Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal is a handy appliance to have in the kitchen. It grinds up food scraps so they can be washed down the drain. But over time, a garbage disposal can get sluggish. Food and grease can build up and clog the unit.
What causes a garbage disposal to start running slowly? Here are some of the most common reasons:
Food Debris Buildup
Leftover food particles are one of the top reasons garbage disposal gets sluggish. Things like coffee grounds, egg shells, bones, and fibrous vegetable peelings don’t fully break down. Over time, they accumulate along the blades and grinding ring. This food debris eventually prevents the disposal from spinning and grinding properly.
Have you ever had to jiggle the disposal switch to get it to finish grinding? That’s a sign food debris is starting to accumulate. Regularly flushing the disposal with lots of water can help prevent buildup.
Grease and Fat Accumulation
Oils and fats are another common culprit. Grease may not seem like much of a problem when it first goes down the drain. But as it cools, grease solidifies and sticks to the side of pipes and disposal parts.
Over time, thick layers of caked-on fat and oil will restrict the disposal’s ability to grind and drain. Grease buildup also attracts more food particles.
The best way to avoid grease issues is to avoid pouring oils directly into the disposal. First, wipe pots and pans with a paper towel. Compost any remaining oil or grease.
Insufficient Water Usage
Using enough water is key for a well-functioning disposal. The water helps move food particles down the drain while flushing away grease.
Always run cold water before, during, and after grinding to prevent buildup. Letting water spin for 30 seconds after grinding helps clear debris. Low water flow because of clogged pipes can also reduce grinding power.
Foreign Objects
It may seem obvious, but non-food items like silverware, bottle caps, fruit pits, and sponges can jam up a disposal. The blades aren’t designed to grind these materials. Metal and glass objects can damage blades.
Sometimes, we accidentally drop things down the drain. Hearing a strange noise could be a sign an item is stuck in the disposal. Immediately turn off the unit and carefully remove any visible objects with tongs.
Prevent problems by never purposely putting non-food items at the disposal. Use sink strainers to catch dropped objects before they fall into the drain.
Also read How to fix a burning smell in your garbage disposal
DIY Fix #1: Baking Soda and Vinegar
One of the easiest ways to get a sluggish garbage disposal working again is with baking soda and vinegar. This simple homemade solution can break down gunk and grime. Best of all, you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to safely use baking soda and vinegar at your sluggish garbage disposal:
- First, turn off the disposal and unplug it from the power source. Safety first!
- Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain. You can substitute borax if you don’t have baking soda.
- Slowly pour 1 cup of vinegar into the disposal. Be careful – it will start fizzing!
- Let the fizzy reaction work for 10-15 minutes. This gives the solution time to break down grease and debris.
- After 15 minutes have passed, run the hot water tap to rinse the disposal thoroughly.
And that’s it! With just two common household products, you can get rid of bad smells and clogged drains.
The Benefits of This Natural Solution
Why do baking soda and vinegar work so well? Here are some of the benefits of using this dynamic duo:
- Safe and non-toxic. You don’t have to worry about harmful fumes or skin irritation.
- Environmentally friendly. No nasty chemicals poured down drains!
- Removes odors. The fizzing reaction neutralizes bad smells trapped in the disposal.
- Breaks down grease and grime. The acidity of vinegar dissolves gunk while baking soda scrubs.
- Affordable and convenient. Nearly all households have these inexpensive staples on hand.
DIY Fix #2: Plunging
Don’t want to deal with chemicals to unclog your disposal? Try using some good old elbow grease and a plunger instead! Plunging can help dislodge debris and get your disposal grinding properly again.
Proper Plunging Method
Follow these steps to plunge your sluggish garbage disposal:
- Fill the sink with 2-3 inches of water first. The water creates a seal for plunging.
- Turn the disposal on for a few seconds to let some water inside. Then turn it back off.
- Place a plunger over the drain opening and make sure it fully covers the drain.
- Plunge vigorously 15-20 times, using quick up and down motions. This builds up pressure.
- Remove the plunger and turn the disposal on to see if the clog has cleared. Repeat plunging if needed.
Tips for a Good Seal
Getting a tight seal is key for the plunging to work properly:
- A wet plunger rim is used to create suction to the sink drain.
- If you have a double sink, plug the other drain with a wet cloth while plunging.
- Press down firmly when plunging to prevent leaks or air escaping.
DIY Fix #3: Manual Cleaning and Inspection
If your disposal is still slow after trying quick fixes, it may need a deeper cleaning. Taking the unit apart to scrub the components can remove built-up gunk.
Safety First
Before taking a disposal apart:
- Turn off the power at the circuit breaker. Putting your hand in a live disposal could badly injure you!
- Allow the disposal to cool completely if it has been running.
- Have an Allen wrench ready to loosen the mounting.
Cleaning the Blades
To clean the blades:
- Use the Allen wrench to detach the disposal unit from the mounting ring.
- Carefully remove the disposal to access the blades.
- Use a toothbrush or brush to scrub the grinding ring and blades. This removes stuck-on food and grease.
- Rinse thoroughly before reassembling. Make sure no debris is left behind.
Checking for Objects
While cleaning the disposal interior, take the opportunity to check for foreign objects stuck in the mechanism.
- Shine a flashlight inside and use metal tongs to remove any debris that doesn’t belong.
- Make sure no glass, silverware, bones, or other objects are still lodged in the unit.
DIY Fix #4: Ice and Salt
Having trouble breaking through a really stubborn clog? An ice and salt treatment can help knock out gunk while sharpening the blades.
How It Works
Adding ice cubes and rock salt and then running the disposal produces an abrasive cleaning action. Here’s how:
- The salt’s coarse texture scrubs the disposal walls as the ice spins.
- The salt also lowers the freezing point of the ice, allowing the cubes to stay solid longer to maximize scrubbing.
- The rough ice chips clean and sharpen the blades at the same time.
Step-By-Step
Follow these steps for an ice and salt disposal cleaning:
- Start by turning off the power to the disposal. Always practice safety!
- Fill the sink halfway with ice cubes. Pack as much ice in as you can.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of rock salt over the ice. Table salt also works in a pinch.
- Turn the cold water tap on full blast.
- Turn the disposal on for 5-10 seconds to grind the ice and salt together.
- Repeat on/off grinding until the ice is fully crushed and drained.
DIY Fix #5: Using a Plumber’s Snake
If you’ve tried other DIY methods without success, it may be time to bring in the big guns – a plumber’s snake. Snaking the drain can dislodge stubborn clogs deeper into the pipes.
When to Use This Method
Try a plumber’s snake when:
- Other remedies have failed to fix the issue.
- Water drains very slowly or not at all with the disposal on.
- You suspect the clog is beyond the disposal unit.
Step-By-Step Snaking
Snaking a drain takes some getting used to. Follow these steps:
- Turn off the power to the disposal. Insert the snake down the drain.
- Push the snake towards the clog, turning the handle to rotate. Go slowly to avoid scratching pipes.
- Once you feel resistance, twist back and forth to work through the blockage. Repeat pushing and turning.
- When the snake moves freely again, the clog is cleared! Slowly pull out the snake.
- Run water in the sink to confirm normal drainage. Use a flashlight to inspect.
Also Read Common Mistakes That Dull Garbage Disposal Blades
Conclusion
Dealing with a sluggish or clogged garbage disposal can be a real headache. Luckily, with some basic DIY troubleshooting, you can often get your disposal grinding properly again.
We’ve covered several effective methods, from homemade remedies like baking soda and vinegar to manually cleaning the disposal. Techniques like plunging, ice and salt treatment, and snaking the drain can also budge stubborn clogs.
The key is to start with the simplest solutions first and work your way up to more involved methods. Safety should always come first – make sure to turn off electrical power when doing any internal work.
With the right know-how, you can take garbage disposal repair into your own hands. Understanding what causes issues and learning how to unclog drains will save you the cost and hassle of multiple service calls.
Next time your garbage disposal starts to run sluggish, refer back to these tips. Doing periodic maintenance and using these troubleshooting steps can help your appliance run smoothly for years to come!