How to Get Rid of Garbage Disposal Smell

A garbage disposal makes clean, quick work of cleaning off dishes, pots, pans, and removing certain food wastes. However, terrible garbage disposal smells can develop depending on what is put into disposal. Not all food waste can be disposed of in the disposal garbage. For example, some foods, like shells, grease, and oil can’t go in the garbage disposal because they’ll obstruct the blades. Fruit pits, fruit scraps, vegetable scraps, cooked meat, and small bones can be put into the garbage disposal. If the disposal is not regularly cleaned, these products can break down in the drain, creating foul odors.

Getting rid of a garbage disposal smell at home is relatively easy and involves some simple cleaning and deodorizing methods. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you eliminate the unpleasant smell from your garbage disposal.

Materials Needed

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Safety first

Turn off the garbage disposal and unplug it or switch off the circuit breaker to ensure safety during the cleaning process.

2. Remove visible debris

Put on rubber gloves and use tongs or pliers to remove any visible debris or food particles that may be stuck in the garbage disposal.

3. Ice and lemon method

• Fill an ice cube tray with a mixture of water and vinegar or lemon juice.
• Freeze the tray and then place a few ice cubes into the garbage disposal.
• Turn on the disposal and allow the ice cubes to grind. This helps to clean the blades and remove any remaining debris.
• Adding citrus peels into the disposal while grinding the ice cubes can help freshen the smell.

4. Clean with baking soda and vinegar

• Pour half a cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal.
• Follow it up with one cup of white vinegar or lemon juice. The mixture will fizz and help break down food residue and odors.
• Let the mixture sit in the disposal for about 10-15 minutes.

5. Scour the inside with a brush

Use a long-handled brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the inside of the garbage disposal. Pay particular attention to the rubber flaps and crevices where food particles can get trapped.

6. Flush with hot water

After the baking soda and vinegar mixture has had time to work, flush the garbage disposal with hot water for a few minutes. This will help rinse away any residue and debris.

7. Use dish soap

• Squirt a small amount of dish soap into the garbage disposal.
• Turn on the disposal and let the soapy water run for a minute or two. This helps clean the disposal and leaves a fresh scent.

8. Run cold water

After the cleaning process, run cold water through the disposal for a few minutes to wash away any remaining debris and clean the pipes.

9. Regular maintenance

• To prevent future odors, run hot water and a small amount of dish soap through the garbage disposal regularly.
• Avoid putting large amounts of food waste or fibrous items like celery, onion skins, or corn husks into the disposal.

By following these steps and practicing regular maintenance, you can help eliminate unpleasant smells and keep your garbage disposal fresh and clean. If you still need help, you can contact us. We will help.