Your garbage disposal was intended to make your sink more efficient, not to act as a secondary garbage can! Table scraps are for the trash, not the garbage disposal. Continue reading to discover the four things that belong in the trash and should never be put in your sink’s garbage disposal.

Never Put These 4 Things in the Garbage Disposal

Next time you think about putting one of these four things into the garbage disposal, think again.

#1 Bones and Pits

While this should be common sense, the power of the modern garbage disposal tricks us into believing that it can pulverize jut about anything. A small piece of bone is all it takes to create a problem (and also a big safety problem). Pits are no different. Think of it this way: if you can’t chew it with your mouth, don’t expect your garbage disposal to chew it either. Throw it in the trash.

#2 Stringy Vegetables

Celery, corn husks and other stringy vegetables can cause a lot of problems when put in the garbage disposal. The stringy fibers can entangle, causing safety and efficiency problems.

#3 Pasta & Other Foods that Expand with Water

Pasta and rice both expand in the presence of water. The garbage disposal can turn these food items into a paste, which can slow down or stop the disposal blades, or clog the drain.

#4 Grease, Fat & Oils

Grease, fat and oils should be thrown in the trash. All of these can collect in the drain, resulting in a clog. If there is grease in a sink, use cold water to wash it down. It seems counterintuitive, but cold water will harder it so it passes through, unlike hot water which will make it stick to the pipes or blades.