A garbage disposal is one of the easiest ways to get rid of food waste, reducing the rubbish that ends up in your trash can. Knowing how to clean a garbage disposal becomes essential when trapped food debris and buildup start causing unpleasant odors.
This simple maintenance task can also save you money on trash bags while keeping your kitchen sink free from clogs. Fortunately, cleaning and deodorizing your disposal is something you can easily do yourself. Follow this guide to eliminate gunk, grime, and foul smells.
Table of Contents
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- How Often Should You Clean Garbage Disposal?
- What Do You Need To Clean And Deodorize A Garbage Disposal?
- How To Clean A Garbage Disposal: Essential Steps
- What Are The Steps For Deep Cleaning A Garbage Disposal?
- How do you deodorize a garbage disposal?
- Can I Clean A Disposal Using Ice Cubes And Rock Salt?
- What To Do When Cleaning isn’t Enough?
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How Often Should You Clean Garbage Disposal?
You should clean your garbage disposal once per week or at least twice a month. If you let it go too long, food waste can cake and build up within the unit, resulting in the nasty aromas that brought you here in the first place.
Of course, if you’re having other problems with your disposal, cleaning may not be enough. Look for these common signs your disposal is dying. When there’s a more serious issue, you may need a repair.
Did you know? Select Home Warranty has plans with coverage for garbage disposals. Plans are highly affordable, making them a great value, and quotes are completely free. Check it out!
What Do You Need To Clean And Deodorize A Garbage Disposal?
The best thing about cleaning garbage disposal is that you probably already have everything you need for the job. There’s no need for harsh chemicals, as there are plenty of natural cleaners you can use to complete this task.
In fact, harsh chemicals like bleach are corrosive and can be bad for your disposal or pipes. Avoid using them entirely.
Instead, use the following:
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- Kitchen Sponge
- Toothbrush
- Rubber Gloves
- Baking Soda
- White Vinegar
- Citrus Peels
- Dish Soap
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How To Clean A Garbage Disposal: Essential Steps
If you’re looking to clean your waste disposal quickly, it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
Step 1: Run your disposal.
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- Before you start, run your disposal to clear out any lingering food scraps or debris.
Step 2: Place the stopper in the disposal and fill your sink with warm water.
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- Put the stopper in and fill your sink with warm water. Be mindful not to overfill it.
Step 3: Mix in some baking soda.
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- Add about a quarter cup of baking soda to the water in your sink.
Step 4: Remove the stopper and run the disposal.
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- Pull the stopper from the sink and run the disposal as you normally would.
What Are The Steps For Deep Cleaning A Garbage Disposal?
If things are particularly bad, it may be time for a deeper clean. Deep cleaning of your disposal shouldn’t take more than 30 to 60 minutes. Of course, this can vary and depends on how long it’s been since you last cleaned it.
Step 1: Run your disposal.
Similar to a quick cleaning, run your disposal to clear out any lingering food waste or debris.
Step 2: Unplug your disposal or shut off the power.
You want to disconnect your disposal from its power source when cleaning to avoid any accidental injury. If your disposal is plugged into an outlet beneath the sink, simply unplug it. Otherwise, you’ll need to switch off the power at the circuit box in your home.
Once you’ve found the breaker panel, find the corresponding switch at your disposal. Turn it off.
Before you begin cleaning, try running the disposal to ensure it’s not getting any power.
Step 3: Clean the sink and drain.
Rubber gloves are optional, but now is when you’ll want to wear them. If you’re learning how to clean a garbage disposal, start by removing the rubber splash guard from the drain opening and scrubbing thoroughly. You can run water from the sink if it helps, though applying a little dish soap to a sponge often works better.
Be sure to remove as much debris as possible. Some homeowners find that an old toothbrush is especially useful for reaching those harder-to-clean areas in the disposal’s opening. Give it a try and see if it works for you.
Step 4: Clean the stopper and splash guard.
Next, clean the stopper and rubber splash guard. Much like how you cleaned your sink and drain, use a little dish soap and a sponge to clear away lingering gunk. Be thorough and rinse repeatedly, as it may take a bit to clean it completely.
Step 5: Mix baking soda and vinegar in the disposal.
Pour a quarter cup of baking soda into the disposal’s main chamber. Next, pour in some vinegar. Let the chemical reaction do its work for about five minutes before running water to rinse it out.
Step 6: Rinse everything off and turn on the power.
Perform one final rinse of your sink, the inside of the disposal, the stopper, and the splash guard before plugging it back in or switching on the breaker. Run some cold water and test the unit to make sure everything’s working as it should.
How do you deodorize a garbage disposal?
If a quick and deep cleaning of your disposal didn’t eliminate the bad smells, there are still a few more things you can try. The most popular method involves citrus peels.
Slice up some lemons, limes, or oranges, and place the peels in the disposal. Then, turn on the cold water and run the disposal. The citrus peels will create a refreshing scent, masking the awful smells coming from the unit.
Can I Clean A Disposal Using Ice Cubes And Rock Salt?
Yes, you can! Combining a mixture of rock salt and ice can dislodge many of the particles that are creating the unsavory odors that are coming from smelly disposal. Typically, you just need to pour some ice and a little rock salt into it.
Next, turn on some cold water and run the disposal for anywhere between 10 and 30 seconds. This should safely clear away many of the stuck particles that are causing foul smells to come from your kitchen sink.
What To Do When Cleaning isn’t Enough?
While regular maintenance is key, sometimes knowing how to clean a garbage disposal isn’t enough to prevent issues. No matter how careful you are, appliances can malfunction or stop working unexpectedly.
This is where a home warranty comes in, protecting you and your wallet from the costly fees associated with appliance breakdowns. Select Home Warranty provides trusted coverage for all components and parts essential to your disposal’s function, regardless of their age. If something goes wrong, simply make a claim, and we’ll connect you with an expert to get things up and running again in no time.
Call us today at 800-670-8931 or follow the link below.
