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11 Things You Should Never Put in Your Garbage Disposal

/25 Comments/in , , /by Mary Hunt

Your garbage disposal may feel like a magic food eraser, but trust me—it has limits. Toss the wrong things down there, and you’re looking at clogs, damage, and a pricey visit from the plumber (not to mention a kitchen that smells like a science experiment gone wrong). The national average for unclogging a drain? A painful $385! Let’s keep that money in your wallet. Here are 11 things you should never put down a garbage disposal—plus a simple trick to keep it clean and fresh.

what can you put down a garbage disposal food waste disposer zucchini with running water and hand reaching

Most homes have a plumbing system with multiple drains, and one of them likely has a garbage disposal attached. It’s tempting to toss in just about anything—because, hey, it’s convenient! But every drain, especially the one linked to your disposal, is vulnerable to clogs and breakdowns. And plumbing repairs? They’re not cheap. In fact, the national average cost to unclog a drain has jumped to $385, up from $225 in 2021.

Avoid These 11 Garbage Disposal Mistakes

Want to avoid that bill? Then steer clear of putting these 11 items down your garbage disposal—or any household drain, for that matter.

1. Grease & Cooking Oils

pan on stovetop grease or oil what can you put down a garbage disposal

I get it—it’s so tempting. Just a little leftover bacon grease or that last bit of cooking oil down the drain? No big deal, right? Wrong.

Even if it seems like it’ll wash away once the disposal does its thing, grease doesn’t just disappear. It slowly builds up, coating the inside of your pipes like artery-clogging plaque. Over time, it traps food particles and other gunk, leading to a stubborn, smelly clog that no amount of hot water can fix.

Never pour grease, oil, or fat—whether from bacon, poultry, gravy, or anything else—down the drain, garbage disposal or not. Instead, let it cool, scrape it into a container, and toss it in the trash where it belongs.

2. Potato Peels

potato peels in sink

Potato peels may seem harmless, but the moment they hit water, they turn into a sticky, starchy paste that clings to your pipes like wallpaper glue. And over time? That mess hardens into a stubborn blockage that no amount of plunging will fix.

Even your garbage disposal can’t save you here. Instead of grinding them up, it turns them into a thick sludge that builds up until—bam!—you’re making an emergency plumber call right in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner.

Save yourself the hassle (and the bill). Toss potato peels in the trash or compost—just never down the drain!

3. Artichoke Parts & Anything Fibrous

artichoke hearts on cutting wooden cutting board with scissors

Garbage disposals may seem tough, but they meet their match with anything fibrous—artichoke leaves, stalks, and that fuzzy inedible center included. These stringy troublemakers don’t break down; they wrap around the motor and jam the blades, turning your disposal into a very expensive paperweight.

It’s not just artichokes. Corn husks, celery, onion skins—anything with long, stubborn fibers—can clog pipes and leave you with a backed-up mess. And don’t even get me started on citrus peels. People swear they freshen a disposal, but from personal experience? Lime is not your friend. Let’s just say disposals have a way of throwing a tantrum when lime is involved.

Stick to the compost bin for fibrous scraps and save your pipes (and sanity) in the process!

4. Fruit Pits & Seeds

avocado halves with pit on green countertop

Your garbage disposal may be tough, but it’s no match for rock-hard fruit pits. Peaches, cherries, avocados—these pits can dent, crack, or even break your disposal’s blades. And let’s be honest, a busted disposal is bad enough without adding a clogged drain to the mix.

Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and other small but stubborn bits are just as bad. They might seem harmless, but they don’t break down easily and can build up over time, leading to a nasty blockage.

Bottom line? If it’s something you’d have a hard time chewing, your disposal will, too. Toss pits and seeds in the compost or trash instead!

5. Bones

chicken bones in a plate never put down garbage disposal

Some say grinding chicken bones in a garbage disposal helps sharpen the blades. I’m not sure what kind of mythical machine they’re using, but trust me—this does not work in reality. My advice? Just don’t.

Sure, tiny bones might sneak through without issue, but anything bigger is asking for trouble. Bones are dense and hard, which means they can dull or break the disposal’s blades and cause a clog deep in your pipes. Even if they manage to get ground up, those tiny fragments can settle at the bottom of your plumbing, creating a future blockage that screams ka-ching (as in, an expensive plumber visit).

6. Seafood Shells

seafood shells in pot

Just like bones and fruit pits, seafood shells have no business going down your garbage disposal. Clam, oyster, mussel, lobster, shrimp—whatever the shell, it’s too hard for your disposal to handle.

These shells can dull or even break the blades, and if they make it past the grinding chamber, they tend to settle in your pipes, leading to—you guessed it—a major clog. Even worse? The lingering fishy smell that no amount of lemon peels (which you also shouldn’t put down there) will fix.

7. Coffee Grounds

used coffee grounds

Let’s call this one debatable—but err on the side of avoiding a plumbing disaster. No coffee grounds down the garbage disposal or any drain, for that matter.

Sure, your disposal can handle them, but your pipes? Not so much. Coffee grounds don’t break down easily and tend to clump together, creating a thick, sludgy mess that loves to attract grease. The result? A slow-moving drain, a potential clog, and a smell you really don’t want wafting through your kitchen.

Instead of tossing them down the drain, put coffee grounds to good use! Sprinkle them in your garden, use them as a natural deodorizer, or mix them into compost. Your pipes—and your nose—will thank you.

8. Pasta & Rice

leftover pasta and rice on plates

Here’s a good rule of thumb: If it swells in water on your stovetop, it’s going to do the same thing in your pipes—and that’s a recipe for trouble.

Pasta and rice don’t just wash away; they absorb water, get sticky, and clump together. Over time, they create a starchy blockage that can slow your drain to a frustrating trickle—or worse, stop it altogether.

Instead of sending leftovers down the disposal, get creative! Turn extra pasta into a casserole, add rice to a soup, or store it for another meal. And if it’s truly past saving, straight into the trash it goes.

9. Eggshells

eggshells in sink never put down garbage disposal

You may have heard that eggshells help “sharpen” garbage disposal blades, but that’s pure myth. The truth? Garbage disposals don’t even have blades—they have blunt impellers that grind food down.

According to American Home Shield, eggshell membranes can wrap around those impellers, causing damage and reducing efficiency. And let’s not forget, the ground-up shell bits can contribute to clogs in your pipes.

Instead, put eggshells in the trash or, better yet, compost them! They’re great for garden soil, adding a boost of calcium to plants.

10. Medications

medication bottles on countertop

We’ve all been there—staring at a bottle of expired or no-longer-needed medication, wondering if the easiest way to get rid of it is down the drain or garbage disposal. But trust me, that’s a big no.

Flushing meds or grinding them up in your disposal can send chemicals into your local water supply, and that’s the last thing anyone wants. Instead, take them to a pharmacy or a designated drug take-back site, where they’ll be properly and safely disposed of.

11. Paint

paint never put down garbage disposal

Oil-based, water-based, stain, lacquer—whatever kind of paint you have, do not send it down the drain. Paint sticks to pipe walls, creating a sludgy mess that traps food particles and leads to blockages you’ll regret.

Instead, check with your city or county’s hazardous waste facility for proper disposal options. Many paint stores also accept leftover paint or can point you in the right direction.

The One Thing You Should Put in Your Garbage Disposal

Product Image - Garbage Disposal Cleaner & Deodorizer Tablets

Garbage Disposal Cleaner & Deodorizer Tablets

While you’re keeping all those no-nos out of your garbage disposal, there is one thing I recommend dropping in regularly: Garbage Disposal Cleaner & Deodorizer Tablets. These handy foaming tablets work wonders to break down grime, freshen up your sink, and keep things running smoothly. Use them once or twice a month to prevent buildup, eliminate odors, and avoid that dreaded plumber bill!

Or, if you’d rather DIY it, check out my full guide on cleaning your garbage disposal with pantry staples. Either way, a clean disposal is a happy disposal!

Garbage Disposal Cleaner & Deodorizer Tablets
Garbage Disposal Cleaner & Deodorizer Tablets
    $19.95
    Buy on Amazon

     

    Question: What’s the weirdest thing you (or someone you know) has ever put down a garbage disposal? Bonus points if it led to a disaster–assuming it wasn’t yesterday, we can laugh about it now. Share in the comments below.

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    25 replies
    1. Luisa says:

      My first garbage disposal was in my first apartment in college and I was fascinated. One night I was cleaning up after our first watermelon of the season. I cut the leftover rinds into smaller chunks and put them down the disposal. Everything seemed fine until my roommate tried to use it the next morning. We had to call the apartment maintenance man to come. He thought I was being destructive on purpose and was very annoyed, as he could not believe anyone could do something that stupid. I was so embarrassed! I have always treated them respectfully in the 50 years since.

      Reply
    3. Penny says:

      Years ago, I had a cleaning service and one of the employees made the mistake of dumping the mop bucket water down my garbage disposal, not realizing that was something else in the dirty water: mop strings- which locked up the disposal and meant I had to call my handman to fix it. The owner was embarrassed but paid the bill from my guy. She also made a point of reminding and training all her employees about this.

      Reply
    4. Janet C says:

      My kids often coming home with carry out and lots of paper napkins. I decided to save them and whenever I have a greasy pan I remove as much grease as possible with those before cleaning.

      Reply
    5. Jessica says:

      I agree with all of these. One thing I will add is after pouring any grease into a can or other container, put some liquid dish soap in the pan and mix it with any remaining grease to emulsify it before washing the pan in very hot water. That will stop the grease from clogging the drain. Even small amounts add up over time.

      Reply
    6. Nancy says:

      I’ve been around garbage disposals for most of my 70 years and I’ve put just about all the things you mention except maybe peach pits. I should add, though, that I’ve always been a renter, never an owner, so why worry about long-term effects? I did, however, live in my last apartment for 19 years and started having garbage disposal problems for the first time(s) ever. It started with fresh pineapple trimmings. I thought they were cut small enough, but I rushed it into a bad clog. I forget what rendered the disposal useless, but at one point it had to be replaced. The last time I clogged it, I was told I would be paying the plumber. I moved out shortly thereafter. Three or four major clogs in 19 years doesn’t seem that bad to me. Why have a garbage disposer if you can’t ever use it?

      Reply
    7. Jane Bice says:

      I told my plumber I needed a garbage disposal for cilantro, rice and celery. He looked at me funny but still installed it. I actually don’t use it, but have it for friends and family who drop things in the sink. It gets enough use that I don’t get my sink clogged up.

      Reply
    8. Susan says:

      Regarding disposal of medications: I recently took leftover prescription capsules to my pharmacy (in a large supermarket chain in Florida) for disposal, having read numerous times (as you have said) that the pharmacy would accept them and dispose of them safely. Sadly, the pharmacist said they were no longer allowed to accept such medications for disposal, as some pharmacy employees had been know to keep them and sell them illegally. He said I could take them to a police station for disposal. I was, of course, stunned by the irresponsibility and greed shown by pharmacy employees who would do this.

      Reply
    9. Don says:

      DON’T PUT ANYTHING DOWN THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL. Put it in the compost pile or in the trash can. Not only can garbage clog your pipes, everything that goes down the drains in our town ends up at the water reclamation plant and has to be filtered out. Why take a chance on costly plumbing repairs and contaminating your city’s water supply? Just don’t use the garbage disposal.

      Reply
      • Mary Hunt says:

        Great question, Pat. The purpose of a garbage disposal is to handle small bits of food … think scraping a plate before putting it into the dishwasher. Meat scraps provided they’re small; fruits, vegetables scraps. Its purpose is not to replace the garbage can or compost, but to handle annoying, food debris.

        Reply
    11. Nancy K says:

      Yes I did it, potato peels in the disposal on Thanksgiving. You know the rest. This is after my sweet mom had said she didn’t think putting them down there was a good idea. One of my favorite photos is of my dad and my husband’s backsides while they were under the sink trying to fix the huge mess!

      Reply
    12. pat syblik says:

      ‘What do I put down my Garbage Disposal – very little. However, if you don’t run it every day or so, it will eventually need to be replaced any how because it wasn’t used enough. I run the disposal after I empty my sink of soapy water after cleaning the stove top, table and counters, being careful to what is put in there.

      Reply
    13. Red says:

      I first used a garbage isp OSAS that did have blades, yes that was long ago. It didn’t take too much time after that disposal for Dad to say no more things we most couldn’t stand the sound of anyway!

      I confess to the last bit of grease going down the disposal right before running a full dishwasher cycle. The theory was that the hot water and soap would move what little there was along. Never had a problem but I’d rethink that having seen galvanized pipe that was 50 years old that was so corroded that I’m surprised water drained at all. And yes, the bathtub was slow! —-we replaced it when we found it replacing the bathtub!

      We always did grapefruit peels by cutting them up, I just don’t recall when as the newer disposals take too long, or so it seems. I don’t recall since it’s been 20 years since we move to having a septic system and have no disposal. I only miss it on occasion. Like you said composting etc works for garden type produce. Although, I can’t believe artichoke leaves would ever compost!

      Reply
    14. Karen says:

      The only thing that belongs down the drain is water and the soap you use to wash dishes and your hands! Plumbing, and our local water filtration system that recycles the water back to us, was not made for anything else. I use the garage disposal for the tiny pieces that make it into the water as I am cleaning my dishes and I miss scraping into the trash! The strainer in the other side of the sink should be pushed in slightly so it is inserted into the drain and not sitting sideways – it keeps the big stuff from going down the drain – yes, it does drain a little slower but it is doing its job!

      Reply
    15. DANNA MURDEN says:

      I have never owned a garbage disposal we have always had a septic tank And was told it was not a good idea. With what you have to say it makes me wonder what is the point in owning one. What can you put down one?

      Reply
    16. Betty says:

      Great tips. As the wife of a man who has been a plumber for over 30 years I agree with every one of your tips Mary. I might add one more incentive to reinforce the reasons to not put raw vegetables and vegetable peels down a disposal. If you have a septic system those peels never break down and can cause harm to your septic system over time. Garbage disposals are best used for cooked foods scraped from a plate before being added to the dishwasher. Thanks Mary for all you do to save us money and make our lives better.

      Reply
    18. Doug Smith says:

      Thanks Mary for your tried and true recommendations as to what NOT to put down the disposal. Yes, I have encountered some of the myths , and you are absolutely correct. Plumbers are expensive but they earn their money- especially when you are in a jam.
      Doug S.
      St. Louis

      Reply
      • Mary Hunt says:

        Oh, now I’m laughing! But honestly there was a day I would have done that as an adult! Thinking: Cleaning up after the Christmas tree.

        Reply

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