If your kitchen is beginning to smell funky and you don’t understand why, your garbage disposal may be the culprit. This hardworking appliance deals with many hood scraps, grease and debris. However, without regular maintenance, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and bad odors.
Whether you’re freshening your kitchen in Phoenix, Arizona, Atlanta, Ga. Loft, or Boise, ID rentals, knowing how to properly clean your garbage disposal unit can save you from clogs, odors and even mechanical failures.
This Redfin guide covers DIY kitchen cleaning supplies with experts’ helping to function as clean, odorless and new.
Why do I need to clean up the garbage disposal?
It’s easy to overlook the disposal of garbage. Until it starts to smell or clog. Regular cleaning helps the unit last longer and prevents the kitchen from developing unpleasant smells.
“The kitchen sink is where all important food preparations take place,” says Tony of Homeworks Cleaning Service in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “When you make garbage disposal work best and smell it fresh, customers are pleased and impressed with the cleaning service.”
Beyond the smell, dirty garbage disposal can lead to stubborn clogs. According to Yaqub Najimi of Famingdale, a New York-based eco-friendly drainage product manufacturer, “Packed-up gank can lead to overheating or a complete shutdown, which is a safety risk if not properly treated.”
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How often do I need to clean the garbage?
The rule of thumb is to clean garbage every two weeks if you use it frequently or frequently. Regular maintenance can prevent odors and keep the blade sharp. Especially if you know how to make a homemade cleaner on hand.
How to clean garbage disposal: 4 expert approval methods
Always turn off the power by unplugging the unit or turning off the breaker before doing anything. As several experts, including Jesse Canissaro, a master plumber in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, stressed, “Avoid accidents and avoid accidents by making sure everything is turned off before you reach the inside.”
Once the power is off, use tongs or pliers to remove any visible debris. Then you’re ready to use one of these proven methods to get a deeper clean.
1. Ice Cube + Salt Scrub Method
Grinding ice cubes with salt is a powerful way to loosen and scrape away dirt from inside the unit. “We’ve seen a lot of people who have been working hard to get into,” said Roseanne Scott, Premium Ruler Plumbing in Hatt, Texas. “Run cold water and turn it on for 10-15 seconds. This will safely break the dirt.”
Carold Aku, owner of Minimade Gainesville, said, “Add 5-6 ice cubes, at least 1/2 cup salt and a glass of white vinegar. Discard and run in cold water for 1-2 minutes.” She also recommends scrubing the splash guard with dish detergent and pot brush afterwards.
Natalie Hernandez, showroom manager for High-touch Remodeling in Los Angeles, California, also supports this method. “Drop some ice cubes and a handful of coarse salt and discard in cold water for 30 seconds. Finish with a slice of lemon or a splash of white vinegar.”
2. Lemon and citrus peel masochistic
For fresh scents, citrus fruit is a kitchen cleaning hack that naturally deodorizes garbage disposal.
Jamie Coppock of Black Rok Kitchen Design shares his views on how to do this. “Put some small ice cubes in and run for a few minutes. This will sharpen the blade. Finally, a few spurts of garbage-cleaning lemon juice and it’s all fresh.”
Marlene Campanale, a home of all purpose in San Francisco, California, a natural living blogger, and creative twists. “Frozen distilled white vinegar and a few drops of lemon essential oil in an ice cube tray. Discard 2-3 frozen cubes, sprinkle generously with baking soda, and pour warm water on everything. Keep it steaming for 5 minutes.
3. How to burn vinegar and baking soda
One of the most popular answers to how to clean up garbage disposal is the carbonation reaction of vinegar and baking soda. It breaks down stuck food and neutralizes odors.
Jim Allen of Coridon’s Speedy Appliance Parts said, “Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain, then add a glass of white vinegar. Sit for 5-10 minutes, then put on disposal and rinse with hot water.”
Tim Karief of San Diego, California agreed to the Speedmate’s home service, adding, “This not only neutralizes odors, but also helps to remove accumulation within the unit.”
Thunderbird Plumbing Victoria says, “Pouring half a cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by a glass of vinegar. Let it burn for about 5-10 minutes. Rinse with hot water.”
However, be aware that hot water alone is not effective in cleaning ganks, especially when grease is involved. Cold water should be used during grinding to prevent soft fat from melting and coating the pipe. Once the debris is already loosened, use hot water only in the final rinse.
4. Flash with cleaning pod or product method
Pod cleaning can simplify waste maintenance, especially when times are short.
“We discard the liquid Rhyno Garbage Dispinal Cleaning Pods each month, run warm water for two minutes and leave them on for an hour. These pods are equipped with a premium blend of supercharged bacteria, infused with the scent of fresh lemon,” says Gina Brooks of Danco, Inc, a plumbing repair manufacturer.
Renuv, an eco-friendly appliance screening solutions company in Sacramento, California, recommends similar routines. “Runs warm water, removes renuv pods, and turns on disposal. It foams, rubs dirt, leaves a clean citrus scent.”
Foods to avoid waste disposal
Knowing what to avoid is just as important as learning how to clean up your garbage disposal. Here’s what some experts have warned:
Grease and Oil: traps these hardening, food particles and odors in the pipe. Coffee Ground: Creates a dense, loose paste that causes clogging. Large hood scraps or bones: These can damage the blades and overwhelm the system.
“We never dispose of large scraps, grease or coffee grounds,” says Roseanne Scott. “These can clog and damage the disposal and plumbing system.”
Other garbage disposal maintenance tips
Some extra habits can go a long way when learning how to clean kitchen equipment like garbage disposal and keeping them fresh:
Clean the splash guard regularly. “Make sure your soap and towels and toothbrushes are cleaned quickly and that disposal is turned off or unplugged.” Use dish soap while disposal is running, says Rentalriff, a property management company based in Phil Scheller, Seattle, Washington. Phil Schaller points out that this works just like cleaning other cookware. Reset the unit if necessary. Yaqub Najimi recommends pressing the reset button if the unit shuts down due to overheating. Soak the rubber baffle. If the smell persists, Jesse Canisaro recommends removing the rubber baffle and soaking it in soapy water. “Does it still smell something? That could be a sign that the food hasn’t completely cleared up the disposal.”
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How to clean your garbage: Final thoughts
Knowing how to properly clean your garbage disposal unit does not require strict chemicals or complicated tools. There are a few everyday items like baking soda, vinegar, ice cubes, and lemons. It can clean and maintain your kitchen appliances and keep them fresh and smooth smells. Clean garbage disposal is more than just a fresh kitchen. It’s also safer and more efficient.
