How to Sharpen Garbage Disposal Blades
A garbage disposal can be a helpful household appliance when it is working properly. Although the components of a garbage disposal are commonly called 'blades,' they really are a ring of teeth-like shredders. If these shredders become dull and the disposal begins to clog, it can become not not only be frustrating, but nearly useless in disposing of waste food. Follow the tips below to sharpen your disposal blades and increase its efficiency.
Tip 1 – Keep the Blades from Becoming Dull
Prevention is always better than trying to come up with a cure. To prevent your disposal blades from becoming dulled or clogged, it is important to avoid putting things into the disposal that are greasy, hard or fibrous, such as:
- Celery
- Asparagus
- Lettuce
- Corn husks
- Potato skins
- Banana peels
- Bones or shells
Tip 2 - Clean Your Disposal Blades
To clean the shredder ring, place a handful of ice cubes into the disposer when it is turned off. Then, drop in a couple of slices of lemon, limes or oranges with the skin still attached. Turn on cold water and run the disposal for at least a minute. As it grinds the ice and citrus, it will not only clean off the teeth of the disposal but will produce a fresher smell.
