Garbage disposals can quickly get rid of food debris from pots and pans, but anyone who owns one knows that foul odors are a common occurrence. We spoke with two cleaning experts who provided us with a detailed explanation of how to clean a garbage disposal, and how often to repeat this procedure.
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How to Clean a Garbage Disposal So It Doesn’t Stink
Disconnect the power supply
Make sure you “cut the power supply to the garbage disposal by unplugging it from the outlet under the sink or turning off the main electricity supply from the breaker box” before proceeding. Before continuing, make sure you unplug the correct circuit twice. Don’t rush through (or completely ignore) this step as it is the most important safety precaution you will take during the waste disposal cleaning process.
Clean the splash guard
The “splash guard” is a rubber component that comes with garbage disposals; you should remove this “baffle or gasket” from the drain. After that, “clean it thoroughly with dish soap using an old toothbrush or scrubbing brush.”
To get rid of obvious debris, use pliers or tongs
It’s time to get some tools and a light source so that the drain may be completely cleaned of trash and food particles. “Examine the disposal with a flashlight to look for any visible debris. If you do locate some, discard it using pliers or tongs. To avoid getting hurt, never use your hands.
Start a cycle of “ice and salt
The following procedure accomplishes two goals: it can remove any remaining food particles and debris and sharpen the disposal’s blades for better operation. Put ice cubes in the disposal and cover the ice with a cup of coarse salt for a thorough cleaning. After that, switch on the disposal and cold water for 15 seconds or so. This will assist in cleaning the grinding components and getting rid of any obstinate debris.
Use vinegar and baking soda to freshen
White vinegar and baking soda are two common pantry items used in a critical sanitizing step. Pour half a cup of baking soda into your garbage disposal to get rid of any odors. Next, begin slowly filling the disposal with a cup of white vinegar. At that point, the mixture will begin to bubble and fizz. To give the reaction time to thoroughly clean and deodorize, let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes. Lastly, run the hot tap for a minute to rinse the disposal with hot water.
Put bits or peels of citrus in the garbage disposal
Although optional, this subsequent step in the procedure is advised for the greatest possible odor reduction. “To give the disposal a nice citrus aroma, add some lemon peels. While it’s acceptable to dispose of entire lemon slices instead of simply their peels, you should always “run the cold water [as you’re running] the disposal.” One by one, add the lemon pieces, being careful to do so.
Give it one last rinse
Finally, rinse the disposal one last time to remove any remaining residue. To make sure all cleaning supplies and debris are flushed out, run hot water through the garbage disposal for approximately one minute.
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