DIY Fixes for a Smelly Garbage Disposal: Keep Your Kitchen Fresh
A smelly garbage disposal can make your entire kitchen unpleasant. Leftover food, grease, and bacteria build up over time, creating strong odors. The good news is you don’t need harsh chemicals to fix it. You can keep your garbage disposal fresh and working properly with a few simple DIY methods.
Here’s how to eliminate odors and prevent them from coming back.
Why Does Your Garbage Disposal Smell?
Garbage disposals grind up food waste, but tiny particles can stick to the blades and inside the unit. Over time, these bits of food decompose, creating bad smells. Grease and soap scum can also contribute to buildup, making the problem worse.
If you notice a lingering odor even after running water, it’s time for a deep clean.
Flush with Hot Water and Dish Soap
The first step to cleaning your garbage disposal is a simple flush. Hot water helps break down grease, while dish soap cuts through food residue.
How to do it:
1. Plug the drain with a sink stopper.
2. Fill the sink with hot water and a few drops of dish soap.
3. Remove the stopper and turn on the disposal while the water drains.
The soap helps rinse away soft buildup and loose food particles.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar create a natural cleaning reaction. This method helps break down debris, neutralize odors, and kill bacteria.
Steps:
1. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the disposal.
2. Add one cup of white vinegar.
3. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
4. Rinse with hot water while running the disposal.
This quick trick is safe for pipes and works well for routine maintenance.
For more garbage disposal cleaning tips, check out EPA’s guide to kitchen waste disposal.
Grind Ice Cubes and Salt
Ice cubes help clean the blades by knocking off stuck food particles. Salt acts as a natural scrubbing agent. Together, they freshen up the disposal.
How to use this method:
1. Drop a handful of ice cubes into the disposal.
2. Add two tablespoons of coarse salt (rock salt or kosher salt works best).
3. Turn on the disposal and run cold water for 30 seconds.
This technique helps sharpen the blades and reduce odor.
Freshen Up with Citrus Peels
Citrus peels are an easy way to eliminate bad smells. The natural oils in lemons, oranges, and limes break down grease and leave a fresh scent.
How to do it:
1. Cut up lemon or orange peels into small pieces.
2. Drop them into the disposal.
3. Run cold water and turn on the disposal for 30 seconds.
For extra freshness, follow up with baking soda and vinegar.
Scrub the Rubber Flange
The rubber flap inside your drain called the flange, collects grime. Cleaning this part helps eliminate lingering smells.
Steps:
1. Turn off the disposal.
2. Use an old toothbrush with dish soap to scrub the underside of the rubber flaps.
3. Rinse with warm water.
This simple step can make a big difference in reducing odors.
Prevent Odors from Coming Back
Once your garbage disposal is clean, keep it fresh with these habits:
• Run water before and after use. Let cold water run for 10-15 seconds to flush out food particles.
• Avoid pouring grease down the drain. Instead, let it solidify and throw it in the trash.
• Cut food waste into smaller pieces. Large scraps can get stuck and cause buildup.
• Clean it once a week. Regular maintenance keeps odors from developing.
If your disposal still smells bad after trying these DIY methods, the issue may be deeper in your plumbing system. Clogged drains or buildup in pipes can trap food and bacteria, causing persistent odors. Rapid Action Rooter, one of the Best Plumbing Companies in Los Angeles, offers professional drain cleaning to remove hidden blockages.
When to Call a Professional
If your garbage disposal has a foul smell that won’t go away, it may be time to call a plumber. Persistent odors can be a sign of a clog or a failing disposal unit. Slow drainage, unusual noises, or leaks are also warning signs.
Rapid Action Rooter, recognized as one of the Best Plumbers in Los Angeles, can inspect and repair your garbage disposal. Whether it needs a deep cleaning, repairs, or replacement, their experts can help.
If your garbage disposal still smells terrible after trying these fixes, don’t wait. Contact Rapid Action Rooter for professional drain cleaning and garbage disposal maintenance. Keep your kitchen fresh and free of odors today.
Final Thoughts
A smelly garbage disposal can make your kitchen unpleasant, but regular cleaning helps keep odors away. Simple DIY solutions like baking soda, vinegar, ice cubes, and citrus peels can freshen your sink. Proper maintenance and good habits prevent bad smells from coming back.
If DIY solutions don’t work, contact one of the Best Plumbing Companies in Los Angeles. Rapid Action Rooter can provide expert drain cleaning and garbage disposal services. You can keep your kitchen fresh and your plumbing in top shape with a little care.
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