The Truth About What You Can and Can’t Put Down Your Disposal

Garbage disposals are powerful tools—but they’re not indestructible. Many homeowners accidentally shorten their disposal’s life by putting the wrong things down the drain. Knowing what’s safe (and what’s not) can save you a plumbing disaster.

Safe items include small food scraps, soft vegetables, and citrus peels (which even help freshen the smell). Always run cold water while using the disposal to help solidify grease and flush particles through.

However, avoid putting fibrous foods like celery, potato peels, onion skins, or corn husks—they wrap around the blades and jam the motor. Also skip coffee grounds, eggshells, pasta, and rice; these expand or stick together, forming stubborn clogs.

Never pour grease or oil into your disposal. Over time, they harden and cause slow drainage or full blockages.

At I Hate My Sink, we’ve seen too many “disposal emergencies.” Treat your garbage disposal with care—it’s a convenience, not a trash can.

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