The garbage disposal is a common household feature that processes kitchen waste in a convenient manner. Due to its nature, garbage disposals tend to get dirty and emit a foul odor from the rotting food particles left behind. Cleaning your garbage disposal every now and then is a must to keep it in good condition.
If you're a little lost on how to clean a garbage disposal without harming yourself, then you don't have to worry. It is unnecessary for you to manually scrub the blades clean. In fact, we highly recommend you choose alternative cleaning methods that won't require you to physically come in contact with the blades. Here's how to clean a garbage disposal:
What You'll Need
There are two ways to clean a garbage disposal. One involves deodorizing the smelly garbage disposal, and is great for general maintenance. The other involves using ice to dislodge any food particles stuck between the blades, and is better used for disposals that have not been cleaned in a while. Here's what you need to get started on both:
Deodorize Your Garbage Disposal
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Boiling Water
Deep Clean Your Garbage Disposal
- Ice cubes
- Citrus peels (optional)
- Rock salt
- Hot water
How to Clean a Garbage Disposal: A Step-by-step Guide
Deodorize Your Garbage Disposal
Step 1: Add Baking Soda
Pour one to two cups of baking soda down the garbage disposal drain, making sure the blades are completely covered with the powder. Baking soda will act as a scrubber and deodorizer to remove the smells from your garbage disposal.
Step 2: Add Vinegar
Pour in twice the amount of vinegar, and let the solution sit to bubble. At this point, you may want to use a rubber splash guard to prevent the solution from splashing everywhere. You may add more vinegar if there is still baking soda residue visible in the disposal.
Step 3: Let it Sit
Let the solution sit for about a minute. It is optional to turn your garbage disposal on during this time, but we find that it cleans better and gets between the blades when the disposal is left on.
Step 4: Flush with Boiling Water
After a minute or so, flush the garbage disposal with freshly-boiled water. This will melt any grease and oil residue, and rinse the disposal of the baking soda and vinegar mix. Your disposal should now be odor-free, and ready to tackle your food scraps!
Deep Clean Your Garbage Disposal
Step 1: Add Ice Cubes and Citrus Peels
Start deep cleaning your garbage disposal by pouring ice cubes down the drain. The garbage disposal should be crowded with ice cubes. Cut in some citrus peel as well to deodorize and clean the blades - this step is optional but recommended.
Step 2: Sprinkle Rock Salt
Sprinkle a generous amount of coarse salt all over the ice. This method works better if you layer the ice and salt in consecutive layers. The salt will act as an abrasive scrubber to clean the grime from the hard to reach areas of the blade.
Step 3: Turn On the Garbage Disposal
Remove the sink stopper from your sink drain. Turn the garbage disposal on, and it may be helpful to place a garbage disposal splash guard to prevent the ice and muck from flying everywhere. As the blades work to grind the ice, citrus peels, and salt, the ingredients will scrub the blades clean.
Step 4: Pour Hot Water
While the garbage disposal is on, pour hot water down the drain to melt the ice in the grinding chamber. Doing so will ease the stress of the blades grinding to crunch up the ice, and the hot water will melt any greasy residue off the drain as well.
You may now notice your sink drain backing up with murky water. Do not fret about the backwash, and allow the garbage disposal to continue running until there is no more ice left. Then, drain the backwash, and rinse the sink to clear the food residue out.
What to Avoid When Cleaning a Garbage Disposal
As the garbage disposal uses blades to cut chunks of food down the drain opening, it should go without saying that you should never stick your hand down the garbage disposal. Here are a few things to avoid when it comes to cleaning your garbage disposal:
- Do not use cold water when cleaning your disposal. While it may not be harmful to your disposal, the cold water will not effectively melt any food grease and oily residue down the drain.
- Do not leave food bits in your garbage disposal. Leaving food down the disposal creates a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, mold, and other microorganisms. Always rinse your disposal after every use with some hot water.
- Avoid using brushes to clean a garbage disposal. An old toothbrush may work well to get a deeper clean on the blades, but going anywhere near the blades is dangerous, especially if your garbage disposal is connected to its power source.
- Never stick your hand in the disposal. If you've dropped something down the drain, it is best to call a plumber to retrieve it.
Kitchen Cleaning - The Hassle-free Way
Kitchen cleaning is made easy with Luce Home, as we know how to clean common kitchen appliances and features. We can properly clean your kitchen, leaving your home spotless and pristine.
Give us a call today, and we can schedule you for a cleaning session at your most convenient time!
