Can you compost soiled food stuff w salad dressing or only clean food Can I just rinse soiled food in strainer

Question

Regarding table scraps, when I rinse my dishes off after meals can it all just go into the compost bucket (other than non compost able items etc) Should I rinse flavored rice, spaghetti with marinara, salad with dressing etc. My thoughts are throw it is a strainer quick rinse it then compost it but if I don't have to rinse off extras I wont. Does anyone know?

Please advise

Shannon

Answer 1

you can dump it all in but if you dont have a closed composter it could attract animals

Answer 2

You don't have to, but yeah, your pile should be covered.  Rancid oils can make a pile really stink, too, just like putting meat scraps and protein-rich items in them.

Answer 3

Be careful throwing anything made of eggs or milk into your compost as they will rot and smell and attract all kinds of bugs.  Starches will bring in the ants.  Fats will lure flies and whatnot.

If you have to add the stuff, bury it deep.  I throw coffee grounds on top to coat the stuff so that the bugs stay away.  Bugs don't like the grounds.

Answer 4

I wouldn't compost leftovers.  It will attract critters.  Stick to raw scraps.

Answer 5

As long as you bury your kitchen scraps in the compost, you should be fine.  Either throw a shovel full of compost over the top of the scraps, or cover them with a layer of brown material to deter any pests.  Just don't put any meat in there and you should be fine.