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Garbage Disposal 101

Oct 11, 2017
How to Use, What to Put In & How to Clean
If you have a garbage disposal, I’m sure you will agree that it is a convenient appliance to have in your kitchen. The following are some best practices for using, adding foods and keeping this handy tool clean and running strong.

How to use
 Start by turning on a strong stream of cold water. Run the water into the disposal side of the sink.
 Turn the power switch to the disposal to the on position before adding any food.
 Add small amounts of food gradually into the disposal giving it time to grind and flush contents before adding more.
 When disposal has finished grinding food waste, continue to run water for a few seconds. This will flush any remaining particles down the drain and will prevent clogging. Pay attention to the sound of the disposal while grinding. This sound will change when it has completed its task indicating that it is time to turn it off.

What to Avoid
 Grease and Oils can coat the inside of the disposal and pipes causing other foods to stick to it forming a clog. Some foods such as salad dressings & marinades have oils in them. Using cold water will help oils and fats to remain solid as they flush through.
 Potato peels easily stick to pipes because of their high starch content.
 Stringing foods like celery and artichoke leaves can wrap around disposal blades causing them to bind.
 Bones, nuts and pits can dull blades as well as lodge in pipes.
 Pasta is also a starchy food that if not flushed completely through pipes can expand and form a blockage.
 Nonfood items like plastic, metal and glass can jam the blades of the disposal.

What can be put in the Disposal?
 Most leftover food items, such as meats, fruit and vegetables as well as food prep waste.
 Use care when disposing of coffee grounds and egg shells as these can sit in pipes causing a “slow drain” and may eventually lead to clogs. Add small amounts of these items at a time and flush with plenty of water.

How to Clean
 Add ½ cup Baking Soda to disposal
 Follow with 1 cup White Vinegar, allow to set for a few minutes
 Pour a medium sized pan of boiling water down drain, wait 5 minutes
 Turn on cold water and disposal and flush for a few minutes
 Freshen with a small amount of citrus peels

For help with unclogging or resetting your disposal, go to Mallard Properties YouTube video How To Fix a Garbage Disposal

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01 Jun, 2021
Well…you do! Renters insurance is a must for anyone who is a resident in someone else’s property. A landlord’s property insurance covers damages to a building due to flood, fire or other types of damage. This insurance doesn’t cover the resident’s personal belongings. That is what a renter’s insurance policy does. What does Renters Insurance Cover? Who pays for your stolen lap top when your home or apartment is broken into? If you don’t have rental insurance, you do! With this coverage you could receive replacement value for this item. What if the building is damaged by a fire? Your belongings are wet, covered in smoke and building debris. Renters insurance will not only pay to repair or replace personal positions, some policies will pay for a place to stay. Your cell phone and luggage are stolen out of your vehicle. These may also be covered and replaced. How much does it cost? Usually this type of coverage is inexpensive. Coverage for $15,000 of personal property coverage and $100,000 of liability coverage, could run approximately $15.00 per month. This will vary depending the type of coverage you chose and the area you live in. Talk with your insurance agent or look for quotes online.
22 Oct, 2018
Getting overwhelmed with your move? Try these tips! Call rental trucks, movers, cleaners and storage facilities if needed. Supplies: Boxes, scissors, tape, bubble wrap, newspaper, marking pens and bags. Schedule donations for items you don’t want to move. Place your change of address and call utility companies to transfer or discontinue their service. Plants: Stop watering 3 days before you move. Food: Use what you can beforehand and check expiration dates on condiments. Rugs: Clean and rolled up inside out with tape for easy transport. Pack one room at a time. You will feel more organized. Label your boxes by room and item descriptions for easy placement when unloading. Use towels, pillows, and blankets to pad breakable items and mark boxes as fragile. Put heavy items such as books in smaller boxes and keep bigger boxes for lighter items. Keep clothing on hangers and in drawers when possible. Keep tools used to disassemble items handy to reassemble at your new home. Place screws in a baggy and tape to the inside of the furniture to keep them all together. Pack a suitcase with clothes, first aid kit, medicine, toiletries, and sunscreen if it’s summer. Keep a grocery bag with paper plates, plastic utensils, bottles of water and menu for take-out. Assemble and make your bed first. So that after a day of moving boxes, you don’t have to make your bed before you can crash. Welcome home!
22 Oct, 2018
Moving into a new home or apartment is a lot of work! Use this list to help make move-in day and the days after survivable. Listed are some items that will help you keep your home functional and clean. Moving Day Essentials Be sure to pack a kit filled with items that will help make move-in day a little easier. Bottled water and snacks Napkins or Baby Wipes Phone numbers for your Property Management Company as well as the address to pick up keys. Phone numbers for a local Pizza or take out restaurant (no one wants to cook after a long day moving boxes) Cleaning Essentials Scrub Free Clean Shower Daily Cleaner (helps to keep soap scum from accumulating) Toilet bowl cleaner and brush Magic erasers (works great for showers and sinks as well as scuffs on walls, use a light touch on painted surfaces so as not to mark the paint) Read precautions Window cleaner (use on mirrors and outside of appliances) Paper towels Sanitizing wipes Kitchen garbage bags/ Trashcan Broom and Dust Pan Mop and bucket (Swiffer wet jet is a two in one system, just use their disposable cleaning pads) General purpose cleaner or Vinegar, Baking Soda and a spray bottle for the recipe below. Rubber kitchen gloves Other Essentials Toilet Plunger and soft bristle scrub brush Hair trap for bathtub (helps to prevent costly bathtub clogs) Toilet Paper 2-9 Volt batteries (use in smoke detectors, when needed) Flashlight W/extra batteries Basic Tools (hammer, flat and Philips screwdriver, 1-inch nails for hanging pictures) Pencil and Pad for notes or shopping list Oven Mitt’s / Potholders Kitchen towels and washcloth Dish Soap/ Dishwasher Detergent (Remember not to put liquid dish soap in the dishwasher) Frying Pan/Sauce Pan Laundry Detergent/ Basket Remember, it is much easier to maintain a clean home and not play catch up later. The following are a few tips to help you. Soap residue, minerals, dirt, oil, skin cells and bacteria…… the scum coating bathroom fixtures worldwide is more than just soap. It builds up shower after shower, bath after bath, and becomes increasingly difficult to remove if you don’t deal with it. For easy solutions to this sticky situation, consider the tips below. Preventative Measures – Most liquid bath gels are detergents rather than ‘real’ soaps, so they are less likely to cause soap scum. Ditch the bar and lather up with a liquid instead. Avoid oily bubble bath products, which are notorious for causing ‘ring around the tub.’ Finally, purchase a shower squeegee to help dry shower walls and doors. This will help to prevent soap scum build up as well as get rid of mold-inducing moisture. Store sanitizing wipes, toilet cleaner and brush under the bathroom sink. Keeping these items handy is the key to doing quick cleanups.
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