How To Clean A Smelly Garbage Disposal So It Actually Smells Fresh Again

Key Takeaways

• Unplug the disposal and use tools like tongs to safely remove visible debris.

• Clean weekly with ice, salt, baking soda, vinegar, and citrus for freshness.

• Regular cleaning prevents odors and keeps the disposal running efficiently.

Garbage disposals can flush away food debris on pots and pans in a flash, but anyone who owns one of these devices knows that unpleasant smells are a regular occurrence. That's why it's important to know exactly how to clean and sanitize a garbage disposal for maximum efficiency and minimum funk.

We spoke with a pair of cleaning professionals who gave us a step-by-step breakdown of how to clean a garbage disposal, how often you should repeat this process, and what tools you'll need to get the job done.

What you'll need

• Pliers or tongs

• Scrubbing brush (or a toothbrush)

• Flashlight

• Baking soda

• White vinegar

• Ice cubes

• Salt

• Dish soap

• Lemon or lime peels

• Hot water

Instructions

Step 1: Disconnect the power supply.

Before you do anything else, make sure to "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. I would suggest double-checking that you disconnected the right circuit before proceeding," says Sabrina Tretyakova, cleaning technician at Fortador . This is the most essential safety measure that you'll take throughout the garbage disposal-cleaning process, so don't speed through it (or skip it entirely).

Step 2: Clean the splash guard.

Garbage disposals come with a rubber piece known as the "splash guard", and you'll want to detach that "baffle or gasket" from the drain, says Tretyakova. Next, "use an old toothbrush or scrubbing brush to clean it thoroughly using dish [soap]. Pay extra attention to the underside and remove any debris or slime."

Step 3: Use pliers or tongs to remove visible debris.

To thoroughly clear the drain of errant pieces of food and debris, it's time to grab some tools and a light source. "Use your flashlight and inspect the disposal for any visible debris. Should you find some, dispose of it using tongs or pliers. Never use your hands to prevent the injury," instructs Alicia Sokolowski, cleaning expert at AspenClean .

Step 4: Run an "ice and salt" cycle.

The next step serves two purposes: it can flush out leftover bits of food and gunk and can also sharpen the disposal's blades for improved performance. "For thorough cleaning, fill the disposal with ice cubes and add a cup of coarse salt over the ice. Then, turn on the cold water and the disposal for about 15 seconds. This will help to clean the grinding elements and remove the stubborn debris," Alicia Sokolowski tells us.

Step 5: Freshen with baking soda and vinegar.

A crucial sanitizing stage involves a couple of pantry staples: baking soda and white vinegar. "To deodorize any smells in your garbage disposal, pour half a cup of baking soda into the disposal. Then start slowly pouring a cup of white vinegar into the disposal. The mixture will then start to fizz and bubble. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the reaction to clean and deodorize properly. Finally, rinse the disposal with hot water by running the hot tap for a minute," says Sokolowski.

Step 6: Run citrus peels or pieces through the disposal.

This next phase of the process is optional, but both Tretyakova and Sokolowski recommend it for maximum odor reduction. "Add some lemon peels to the disposal to leave a pleasant citrus scent," says Tretyakova. Sokolowski adds that it's fine to put full slices of lemon into the disposal rather than just peels, but either way, you should "run the cold water [as you're running] the disposal. Make sure that you are adding the lemon pieces one at a time."

Step 7: Do a final rinse.

Lastly, clear every last bit of residue out by giving the disposal a final rinse. "Run hot water through the garbage disposal for about a minute to ensure all cleaning agents and debris are flushed away," Sokolowski tells us.

How Often To Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Our experts agree that, for those who use their garbage disposals on a regular basis, thorough cleanings should be done on a weekly basis.

Tips & Tricks

• Wear rubber gloves.Garbage disposal blades can be sharp, so it's important to guard against cuts however possible. "Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects or cleaning agents," Sokolowski advises.

• Stay away from chemical cleaners.There are plenty of chemical-based cleansers on the market that claim to deodorize and disinfect garbage disposals, but Tretyakova urges you to keep things simple with food-safe ingredients., as chemicals "can corrode metal parts" and compromise the disposal's ability to operate.

Sokolowski adds that "natural solutions are effective and safe for the plumbing and the disposal. Regular maintenance with ice, salt and citrus will keep the disposal clean and fresh without the need for harsh chemicals."

Read the original article on Southern Living