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How to Clean a Garbage Disposal

Clean disposals can reduce germs and odors. Begin by clearing away physical debris, such as bottle caps or toothpicks, from the disposal flaps and sink drain opening. Never use your hands to remove objects from a garbage disposal’s grind chamber, as doing so could cause lacerations or fracture fingers. Instead, follow the given steps to clean a garbage disposal.

How Do You Thoroughly Clean a Garbage Disposal?

Run Cold Water To Remove Grease

Clearing grease is one of the most common problems garbage disposal faces. Experts often advise running cold water through your garbage disposal at least once every week to help avoid clogs. Running cold water with grease-cutting dish soap forces any grease or oils that have entered the drain to solidify so its sharp blades can chop them up before reaching your plumbing pipes.

Tommie’s Plumbing recommends taking two steps for maximum disposal hygiene:

  1. Firstly, remove the rubber splash guard that sits inside of your sink flange to reach hard-to-reach crevices using an old toothbrush or scrub brush
  2. Pour hot water down your disposal on an ongoing basis in order to flush away gunk and keep odors at bay while simultaneously defrosting any frozen food debris stuck within it.

Finally, we suggest pouring some warm water each month just after removing your garbage. This step will keep odors under control while keeping unpleasant odors at bay. Also, adding some cups of ice cubes will further assist in thawing frozen food debris stuck within its confines!

Remove the Splash Guard

Detaching the splash guard of your garbage disposal is one key to more easily maintaining its cleanliness, but this step must be handled carefully. Be sure that the power to your unit has been turned completely off, either by pulling its plug or switching off its circuit breaker. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Use a flashlight to illuminate the drain opening and clear out any large food scraps or debris clogging your disposal unit.
  2. Never stick your hand into it, as this could result in lacerations or fractured fingers; opt for tongs or pliers instead.
  3. Pour one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar into your drain opening, and watch as the mixture bubbles, dissolving food debris or grease buildup.
  4. After completing this step, flush your disposal with hot water to remove any residual.

For the best garbage disposal cleaning services, always rely on professionals. They ensure the job is done correctly, efficiently, and safely, delivering the best cleaning results that you can trust.

Run a Baking Soda & Vinegar Cycle

Installing a garbage disposal is important. While this may sound like an obscure science experiment, baking soda and vinegar combined are an effective garbage disposal cleaning agent that quickly dissolves greasy buildup, kills bacteria, and deodorizes your disposal system.

  1. Before starting, turn off the disposal’s power switch, typically under your sink.
  2. Next, pour half a cup of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar down your drain before plugging it.
  3. If you have dual sink disposals, cover both drains.
  4. Fill your disposal with ice cubes, then scrub away residue using a long-handled scouring brush or old toothbrush.
  5. Run cold water while running the disposal, which should carry away any leftover food particles or odors while also running its course.
  6. Consider pouring a handful of coarse salt down your drain—this helps avoid future clogs!
How to Clean a Stinky Garbage Disposal?

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Run Ice & Salt To Clear Clogged Drains

Ice and salt can provide effective cleaning options if you want a non-chemical way of unclogging clogged drains. Ice will clean blades while breaking down slimy residue, while salt helps deodorize and freshen up your disposal.

Add one cup of ice cubes, half a cup of rock salt (rock is preferable, but regular table salt works just as well), and about one-tenth cup of salt to your disposal, then turn it on and allow it to run for approximately ten minutes.

This simple hack efficiently deep cleans your disposal while eliminating those pesky odors! Afterward, run cold water to flush the drain and dispose of the waste properly.

It is highly recommended to hire a professional garbage disposal cleaning service, as they have specialized equipment, are expertly trained, and can complete the cleaning process quickly and safely. Their expertise ensures that garbage disposal is properly maintained without the risk of damage or injury.

Does a Garbage Disposal Need to Be Cleaned Out?

Run Citrus Peels or Pieces

Lemon, lime, and orange rinds can provide an inexpensive, natural way to clean your garbage disposal and refresh the kitchen. Their natural oils work to break down food waste that clogs sink drains, making this an economical and eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical cleaning products.

Regular maintenance should be conducted to keep your garbage disposal smelling great and avoid buildup. Remember not to put fibrous foods like banana peels or artichoke leaves down, as these could get caught between the grinder teeth and jam up the machine.

Also, be wary about sending too many bones down. Small shrimp shells are generally OK, while larger bones could potentially damage the blades.

Run Citrus Fruits To Remove the Odor

If your disposal smells unpleasant, add half-cut lemons or limes while it runs to reduce the odor and break down residue that clogs drain lines. Their natural oils and scent combat foul smells, while their citric acid breaks down any remaining buildup that obstructs its function.

Avoid fibrous veggies like celery stalks (which can wrap themselves around the blades), fruit pits, and corn husks. These bulky pieces can wreak havoc with your blades and pose further issues in the future. Compost them instead!

Running regular batches of ice cubes and rock salt through your smelly garbage disposal is another effective way of cleaning it quickly. Ice is safe for its blades, while rocks help prevent clogs by breaking up food debris or grease accumulations that have built up.

For the best results, it is suggested to call professionals because they will deliver the best cleaning outcome.

Does Ice Clean a Garbage Disposal?
How to Clean Garbage Disposal With Ice

Run a Final Rinse

Even the best-maintained garbage disposals may clog over time. To keep them running smoothly and smelling fresh, clean them regularly using home remedies to restore their performance.

Before starting any task, ensure your garbage disposal is unplugged and switched off; if necessary, switch off its breaker under your sink or at your service panel.

It’s also important to know what should not go to your disposal. Eggshell membranes, coffee grounds, stringy vegetables (celery, artichokes, and corn husks), and large pits should not be ground up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions that our readers have asked us

Flushing with cold water while running the disposal is a must. This step ensures that debris and food particles are thoroughly washed away, preventing buildup that causes odors. Cold water helps solidify grease or fat, making it easier for the disposal to chop up and push out. Regularly flushing with cold water keeps the disposal clean and odor-free.

Yes, garbage disposals need to be cleaned out regularly to prevent bad odors, clogs, food particles, and grease buildup. Cleaning helps maintain their efficiency and extends their lifespan. Simple methods like using ice cubes and salt to scrub the blades, flushing with cold water, and occasionally using baking soda and vinegar or lemon can keep your disposal in good condition.

Conclusion

Regular garbage disposal maintenance is essential for preventing odors, clogs, and the buildup of food particles and grease. Remember, a little routine care extends the life of your garbage disposal and ensures it functions smoothly in the long term.

Best Garbage Disposal Cleaning by Tommie’s Plumbing

At Tommie’s Plumbing, we understand the importance of cleaning the garbage disposal system. With our expertise and dedication to quality service, we offer various services, including water heater installation, tankless water heaters, sewer and drain cleaning, assistance with high water bills, and fixing high water pressure issues. Contact Tommie’s Plumbing today for reliable solutions tailored to your needs.

CALL NOW! Greeneville: 423-638-3662 | Jonesborough: 423-788-9343 | Morristown: 423-638-3662

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