How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal?

Cleaning your garbage disposal does more than just remove odors. Some common methods ensure that your kitchen drains also remain clear. Form the moment you notice bad smells coming from your kitchen sink, it is time to clean out the garbage disposal. So, read on as we get into how to clean your garbage disposal.

How Often Should You Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Simply put, garbage disposals do a great job of ensuring that they clean themselves. They break up food and particles effectively and flush them down the drain. By doing so, the chamber in your garbage disposal stays clean for quite some time. 

As time goes, slime tends to build-up in the areas that remain un-scrubbed by the disposals grinding action. Generally, the underside of the rubber baffle and the sloped area at the starting of the grinding chamber become covered in grime after some time has passed. A simple clean up every week will go a long way in keeping your garbage disposal clean. 

Supplies Needed for Cleaning the Garbage Disposal

* A kitchen sponge that has an abrasive side

* Dishwashing liquid

* Vinegar and baking soda

* Ice

* Bleach

* Citrus peel

* Rock salt 

Cleaning the Disposal with A Regular Soapy Sponge

* Ensure that the power is turned off and unplug the power cord so the disposal cannot be turned on accidentally during cleaning. 

* You’ll need to apply some of the dishwashing liquid to the abrasive side of the sponge and scrub the underside of the baffle. However, be sure to frequently rinse the sponge to carefully remove all the gunk. 

* Next, you’ll need to clean the grinding chamber. As you swipe around on the top, you will want to frequently rinse the sponge to thoroughly clean everything off. At this point, your garbage disposal is already sparkling. However, there are still some other things that can be done to ensure that you keep the disposal extra fresh. 

Cleaning with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Some homemade drain and disposal cleaner can be made with these ingredients. This ensures that the chamber of your garbage disposal and the tip of your drainpipe is thoroughly cleaned. 

* You’ll need to pour half of a cup of baking soda into your disposal followed by the same amount of vinegar. However, you will want to pour the vinegar carefully and slowly. 

* After performing the above step, you will need to use to sink stopper to cover the opening since it will be fizzing. The sink stopper works as a cover to effectively contain the fizzing action inside of your garbage disposal. 

* Next, you will need to flush the disposal. You will need to wait for a couple of minutes before you remove the stopper. After you do, you will need to flush the system with hot water while running your disposal. In the case where you have got two sinks, be sure to clean both during a cleaning session. 

Cleaning with Vinegar, Ice or Rock Salt

If you have never heard of it, rock salt or ice is also a great option for cleaning your garbage disposal. The ice can be used to scrape the insides of the chamber and dislodge slime and other buildups.  

* Firstly, you will need to add the ice. You can fill the disposal up with the ice cubes. 

* You can then pour a cup of vinegar or salt into your garbage disposal. 

* Then you will need to run the garbage disposal for a bit with the water on to ensure that the ice is properly crushed. 

How to Deodorize A Garbage Disposal? 

If you have a smelly garbage disposal, and cleaners are not taking care of the odor, do not worry because we have got you covered. You will need to whip up a diluted solution of bleach. This is done using one-part bleach and two parts of warm water. However, keep in mind that you should not exceed the limit of 1/3 of a cup of bleach. 

Be sure to wear gloves while pouring the mixture down the drain. After you have poured the bleach, run some warm water for a couple of seconds. Additionally, citrus peels can be added as an alternative method to freshen up the disposal. The peels contain oil that adds fragrance to the air. 

So, if you’re interested in using the citrus peels, you can grind some up in the disposal with some cool water. Ice cubes can also be added, and the citrus peels will release a very pleasant scent into the air. However, this trick works best in a garbage disposal that has been cleaned recently. 

As we conclude, we have just looked at how to clean the garbage disposal. If you notice a foul odor coming from your garbage disposal it is time to give it a cleanup. In some instances, a simple scrub with a kitchen sponge and dishwashing liquid goes a long way. You can also check this Kent company for more details.