Garbage disposals are a convenient and a helpful appliance in our kitchens. We can dispose of dishwater and minor food waste all in the same sink. But these conveniences can become costly if regular care and maintenance are not taken into consideration. Regularly cleaning and removing smelly odors from your garbage disposal can help maintain proper upkeep and prevent the need for repairs or replacing.

Smelly odors from our kitchen sink are most likely due to mold growing in the disposal. Larger food particles can become trapped under the grater or cause a clogged drain. It’s an environment that mold loves to grow in. Here are a few cleaning and maintenance tips to prevent those smelly odors from taking over your kitchen!

Clean with Baking Soda and Vinegar

This household method works to unclog drains, kill bacteria and break apart food debris. Pour ½ cup of baking soda and white vinegar down the drain and let the combination fizz for about 15 minutes. Wash away the solution by running hot water down the garbage disposal for about a minute.

Combat the Smell with Citrus

Putting pieces of citrus peels, like oranges or lemons, down your disposal can mask the smelly odors. This method won’t do much in the way of cleaning, but when used in combination with Baking Soda and Vinegar, it can help freshen up your garbage disposal.

Ice and Rock Salt Remedy

This trick can also help with bad sink clogs that cause slow draining. Drop a dozen or so ice cubes down the drain and then pour in a cup of rock salt. Turn the garbage disposal on while running the water. Leave both on for a minute or so, until the ice and salt have scraped away and dislodged any buildup.

Watch What You Put Down the Disposal

The best way to prevent your garbage disposal from stinking up the place, and to make sure it remains in proper working condition, is to be careful about what you put into it. Be mindful of these items, as they can easily cause clogged drains and damage the disposal unit:

–   High fibrous or “stringy” foods like celery and tough vegetables

–   Expandable rice or bread-based products

–   Egg shells

–   Animal bones and fat

–   Paper or plastic materials

–   Cooking oils and grease

Hire Professionals

If you need garbage disposal repair/cleaning beyond these household tips, then we suggest hiring someone to help out! For safety, repairs and deep cleaning of the disposal and plumbing should be done by professionals.. Our licensed plumbers can efficiently and effectively deep clean your drains safely and keep your garbage disposal in proper working order.