Can I Put Citrus Peels In The Garbage Disposal?

Got lemon peels? Got a garbage disposal and want to keep your kitchen smelling fresh and clean? Not only can citrus peels go in your kitchen sink garbage disposal, but with their delicious and uplifting citrus scent, they are great at eliminating bad smells. Yes, you can put citrus peels in the garbage disposal and here's what you need to know!

Citrus rinds are even better than other cleaning alternatives like essential oils and citrus smell sprays because they are more cost-effective and readily available. Plus, they're entirely natural, making them a healthier choice for home, septic systems and the environment.

Got more lemons? I love them in ALL my recipes like lemon curd thumprint cookies, lavender lemon drop martinis, zucchini + lemon salad, and lemon poppy seed muffins (amongst others).

The Science

Lemon's effectiveness is in its natural oils and the firm, non-fibrous texture of its peel that naturally scrubs out the disposal system. The peels contain high levels of limonene, a natural compound found in citrus fruits. Limonene has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties and when you grind lemon peels in your garbage disposal, the limonene is released.

The natural oils are a fantastic odor eliminator and deodorizer that help combat bacteria and fungus. While making your sink smell fresh, lemon also helps break down grease and food residues and neutralize unpleasant odors. This helps prevent drain and pipe clogging and keeps your disposal running smoothly.

Other citrus peel options like orange peels, lime peels, and grapefruit peels are all great cleaners and deodorizers too. Try combining different citrus fruit peels for a unique scent. Regardless of the citrus rinds you choose, the process of grinding them in your garbage disposal remains the same.

Advantages

Using citrus peels for the cleaning process has several advantages over other options. Essential oils smell great but can be quite expensive. Vinegar is a great cleaner and sanitizer but lacks the bulk to scrub the blades of the disposal and doesn't provide the same long-lasting fragrance as lemon peels. Citrus smell sprays and commercial cleaners often contain artificial fragrances and chemicals that can be harmful to your health.

How To Clean With Citrus

Grinding lemon peels in your sink waste disposal is a simple process. Done regularly, it will maintain a fresh scent and help you avoid major problems with kitchen plumbing.

1. Start by cutting the lemon rinds into small pieces. Quartered is fine. If you're using whole lemons, cut them into quarters or even eighths.
2. Run cold water continuously in your sink.Carefully feed the lemon peels into the garbage disposal, allowing the blades to grind them into tiny pieces.
3. Continue running the disposal and the cold water for a few seconds after all the lemon peels have been ground.
4. Turn off the disposal and let the water run for 30-90 more seconds to flush out any remaining tiny food particles and residue.

Tips To Prevent Plumbing Problems

In addition to pulverizing citrus peels in your garbage disposal, there are several other things you can do to prevent plumbing problems associated with sink grinders.

• Run the water while you use the machine and for a minute after. The water helps flush out any residue and prevents the oils from sticking to the pipes.

• Only cold water is recommended for garbage disposal operations, do not use hot water.
• Regularly clean your garbage disposal by running cold water and a small amount of dish soap, citrus or a cup of vinegar through it.
• Avoid disposing of hard items such as bones, fruit pits, or hard, non-food items as they can damage the blades of your garbage disposal.
• Avoid celery stalks or peels and other fibrous materials out of the disposal to prevent clogs.
• Use a drain strainer to catch any unsuitable or larger food particles that could potentially cause a bad smell or clog the drain line.

Additionally, regular maintenance and cleaning as per you manual can help prevent any buildup from greasy foods that may occur.

Tips for maintaining the blades and grinding chamber of your garbage disposal

To ensure optimal performance of your garbage disposal and prolong its lifespan, it's important to take care of the blades and grinding chamber. Here are some tips for maintaining these components:

1. Avoid grinding hard items like bones or shells, as they can dull the garbage disposal blades and cause damage.
2. Periodically clean the grinding chamber by pouring a mixture of ice cubes and rock salt or citrus pieces into the disposal and running it for a few seconds.

3. Use a small brush or toothbrush to clean any debris or residue from the blades and the inside of the disposal when required. Be sure unit is turned off and cannot be turned on while being cleaned.
4. Regularly check for any leaks or unusual noises coming from the disposal, as these may indicate a problem that requires professional attention.

By following these maintenance tips, you can keep your garbage disposal in excellent condition and ensure its efficient operation.

Alternative Methods

While lemon and other citrus peels are a fantastic natural solution for eliminating foul odor from food waste in your garbage disposal, there are other alternatives you can try. Here are a few more natural deodorizers.

1. Vinegar and baking soda - Mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda and pour it down the disposal. Let it sit for a few minutes before running cold water and turning on the disposal.
2. Ice cubes and citrus rinds - Toss old ice cubes in the garbage disposal unit when you're refilling the ice cube tray. Toss in citrus peels, then grind them in your garbage disposal while running the cold water. Expert plumbers all say that the ice helps clean the blades without causing any damage.

Do Put In Garbage Disposal

There is many food scraps that are safe to grind in your garbage disposal, which is why this kitchen appliance is so popular. The general rule to remember is soft scraps that aren't stringy.

• Lemon peel, orange peel, lime peel, or grapefruit peel - These citrus peels not only freshen up your kitchen but are also safe for your garbage disposal. Other citrus fruits are fine too.
• Leftover fruit and vegetable scraps - Small pieces of leftover fruits and vegetables can be ground without any issues. Small vegetable and fruit skins and vegetable peels from carrots and beets

• Soft food scraps - Leftover dinner, rotting foods from the fridge and old salad mixes are what this machine excels at. Scraping small pieces off dinner plates is fine as long as there aren't any bones or shells. While raw meats shouldn't be sent down, small amounts of cooked meats off plates is fine. Basically all soft foods that aren't fibrous or overly stringy are safe.

Don't Put In Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal is a convenient appliance but not all scraps should go down the drain. Avoid putting these things in your garbage disposal.

• Grease, fat and oil - These substances can solidify and cause clogs in your plumbing system. Dispose of fat, grease or oil in old containers and then place them in your regular garbage.
• Fibrous vegetables and fruit - Banana peels, rhubarb, celery, corn husks and other stringy vegetables can tangle around the blades and cause clogs.
• Hard items - Bones, seafood shells, fruit pits, and other hard materials can damage the blades and the grinding chamber of your garbage disposal.
• Raw meat: A common reason for bad odors, meat should be discarded in the regular garbage can. Small bits of cooked meat can be put down the sink but any large chunks or raw meat should be put in the garbage can.
• Starchy foods - Pasta, rice, and potato peels can soak up water and expand causing clogged drains.

Up For Debate

Some items are considered safe for your sink disposal system by some, and no-go's by others. Make your own informed decision on these controversial waste items based on your machines manual, age, condition and power level as well as the condition and age of your home plumbing.

• Coffee Grounds - Great at deodorizing and good for the environment but some say they are heavy and can sit in drain pipes, building up and possibly causing a blockage over time.
• Egg Shells - While these will decompose perfectly in septic systems, they membranes inside the shell may get stuck around blades.
• Onion Skins - While slightly stringy and fibrous, the can also crumble easily too. If put down the disposal with a variety of other food scraps they usually won't cause a problem. If all you've got is onion skins, better to add them to the compost pile than risk them sticking to the interior edges of the machine.
• Shrimp Shells - Small shrimp shells are not too hard but if you don't grind and rinse them down thoroughly, they can be stinky. If you choose to send them down the kitchen sink, send them along with some chunks of soft veggies or...citrus rinds and flush them down well with plenty of water. Adding some firmer bulk to the thin shells will help them get ground up and flushed through properly.
• Small Bones - While it maybe not ideal, the occasional small bone from chicken or fish is usually fine for most disposal units. Many bones together or larger bones will dull or possibly stall the garbage disposal’s blades but very small bones are usually ok.

The Final Word

Lemon peels are a natural and cost-effective solution. Using lemon peels in your garbage disposal is not only ok but recommended. The natural citrus oils in lemon peel act as a powerful deodorizer, cleaner and degreaser while the citrus scent creates a clean and inviting smell.

Lemon peels are a safe and eco-friendly choice. They provide a pleasant aroma without any harmful side effects.

Simply save your leftover lemon, orange and, lime peels from recipes and use them in your garbage disposal regularly. You'll eliminate waste and keep your kitchen sink fresh and clean. Sometimes the best things in life are free!!!

More Lemon Love

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Cheers friends! Sabrina

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