Your Guide to Properly Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

If you have a garbage disposal, you know they don’t always smell fresh. Sometimes the odor coming from your disposal can be downright disgusting. But there are ways to freshen it up so you can eliminate the terrible smell and stop it from spreading throughout your kitchen. 

There are plenty of tips out there for what to put down your garbage disposal in order to clean it, but not all of them are safe for the appliance. Instead, refer to this guide to properly cleaning your garbage disposal without damaging it from experienced appliance repair technicians.

Steps to Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

Follow these steps to help you safely clean your garbage disposal. 

1. Turn off the disposal and cut power to it. Unplugging it is the best way to be sure it cannot turn on. 
2. Remove the splash guard and thoroughly clean it using a scrub brush or an old toothbrush and soap. 
3. Remove any food debris from the disposal. Shine a flashlight into the drain so that you can see more clearly. Clear out large pieces of food while wearing gloves or with tongs. 
4. Replace the splash guard. 
5. Restore power to the garbage disposal. 
6. Run warm water in the sink and run the disposal to clear out any remaining food debris. 
7. Turn off the disposal and the water. 

Now you’re ready to try one or a combination of the following cleaning methods:

• Baking soda and vinegar. Pour a half cup of baking soda into your disposal. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Then pour a cup of vinegar into the disposal and let sit for about 3 minutes. Run warm water down the drain and run the disposal to clear it. 

• Ice and salt. Another effective cleaning solution is ice and salt. Pour about 2 cups of ice into the disposal, and then a cup of salt. Run cold water in the sink and turn on the disposal. Let the disposal run until the ice is completely chopped and gone. 

• Citrus peels. Lemon is the best, but lime, orange, grapefruit, or other citrus fruits will also work. Cut the peel into strips and drop into the disposal. Run cold water and turn on the disposal until the peels are ground up and gone. Citrus peels freshen your disposal, providing a clean scent that eliminates odors. 

• Garbage disposal cleaners. There are also garbage disposal cleaners you can purchase that are made to clean and freshen your disposal. Most come in tablets or pods that you place in your disposal while running it. Follow the directions on the package for best results. 

What Not to Put Down Your Disposal 

There are some things you should never put down your garbage disposal: 

• Egg shells. You may have heard that egg shells sharpen your blades, but they tend to do more harm than good. Avoid putting them down your disposal. 
• Coffee grounds. They are too abrasive and may clog your disposal. 
• Bones. Avoid putting any kind of animal bones down your disposal. 
• Grease. Don’t put bacon grease, hamburger grease, or any other type of grease down your disposal. As it solidifies it will coat your disposal and sink pipes causing clogs. 

Appliance Repair 512 Provides Garbage Disposal Repair 

Having problems with your garbage disposal? Cleaning it with the above methods can freshen it up, but may not resolve any problems with the operation of your disposal. If your disposal is jammed, clogged, or fails to run, Appliance Repair 512 provides garbage disposal repair. Our technicians have experience with all types of garbage disposals and will return yours to working order if possible. 

Call (512) 351-7624 or contact us today to schedule a service appointment.