Garbage Disposal Care

The Garbage disposal, located below the kitchen sink, is a handy tool for purging food scraps. It also needs regular maintenance and care to keep it in tip top condition.

There are items which can clog the drain line and should never be put in the garbage disposal.  These are:

• coffee grinds
• cooking grease
• dry fiber drinks (such as Metamucil)

When using the garbage disposal, do not over load it and use plenty of cold water to flush the unit. The blades on the garbage disposal should be sharpened once a month.  To sharpen, use a cup of ice cubes and flush with cold. A properly maintained garbage disposal can last for many years.

Winter Storage Tips for Lawn and Garden Equipment

Now that October is here, it's a great time to prepare your lawn and garden equipment for winter storage. This would include equipment such as lawnmowers, trimmers, chainsaws and generators.

Step 1:  Drain all gas from the fuel tank and run the engine until it stops. 

• Note:  If gas is left in larger fuel tanks, a fuel stabilizer such as STA-BIL can be used to keep the fuel from going stale. 

Step 2:  Change the oil, the oil filter and the air filter.

Step 3:  Check to make sure the spark plugs are in good condition.  Clean and replace as necessary.

Step 4:  Clean the equipment of all grass and dirt.

After applying these steps, your equipment is ready for winter storage.  When the snow thaws and Spring comes to life, your equipment will be clean and ready for use.