If it breaks down, and the home insurance man comes around, if you have put any of the following down there then he may well refuse to pay out on the basis that your negligence caused the damage.

Paper - Once this gets wet then it clings to the inside machinery and clogs it up.

Plastic - Quite simply, this is too tough for a garbage disposal to be able to process.

Bones - Even small ones a problem because they get wedged in the disposal tube.

Eggshells - They might be easy to crack but they are not so easy to turn into pulp.

Grease - It will stick to, and build up on the disposal tube.

Stringy Vegetables - These do not do well in the garbage disposal because they become balls that clog the entire system up.

Coffee Grounds - A basket full of grounds from your coffee maker? You are looking for trouble.

Rice & Noodles - This one is a surprise to most people, but its a starch will give your garbage disposal indigestion.

You must be wondering - so what can I put in there? Your plate scraps are fine, as are small bits of meat and chopped up veggies (but remember to avoid the stems). Apply some common sense and you should be ok. The golden rule though is "If in doubt, keep it out".

Now you are aware of what items to keep out of your garbage disposal, here are some tips for keeping it in good condition…

- Whenever it is on, make sure the water is running too.

- Throw some ice in there - it will freeze anything that may be stuck and knock it out.

- Throw some lime or lemon juice down there every so often to keep it smelling fresh.

Following the above advice will ensure that your garbage disposal remains in good working order. Repairs are expensive so, to avoid a difficult conversation with the guy from your home insurance provider, make sure that you look after yours.

Visit http://www.henryinsurance.com for a free guide to home insurance. Find out if your current homeowners insurance is really the best deal that you can get.