Garbage disposals often make cleaning up after cooking in the kitchen incredibly easy. Although your garbage disposal is convenient when it works, it can be a hassle if it clogs or smells. The good news is that you don’t have to worry if it becomes clogged or smelly—instead, we will give you 3 easy and different methods so you know how to clean a garbage disposal.
At Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning, we understand how important it is for you to have a working garbage disposal. That said, we thought it would be helpful to compile a complete guide about how to clean a garbage disposal.
By the end, you will be familiar with the steps to start cleaning a garbage disposal and know when to call in the professionals for help with your drain cleaning services.
A Materials Checklist
Before we dive into how to clean a garbage disposal, let’s give you a materials checklist.
Materials Needed:
- Ice cubes
- Rock salt or coarse salt
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Lemon or lime
- Dish soap
- A small scrub brush or an old toothbrush
- Rubber gloves
- A flashlight
3 Methods How to Clean a Garbage Disposal
There are many different methods that you can utilize when it comes to cleaning a garbage disposal. The method will depend on the severity of your disposal’s amount of debris build-up, clog, or smell. Of course, the first step is always to remove the power supply.
Here are 3 basic methods that you can try out when you have an inoperational or smelly garbage disposal:
1. How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal Using The Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
To clean your garbage disposal with baking soda and vinegar, put one-third of a cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal. Once you’ve done this, turn the disposal on for a few seconds. Then, leave the disposal off with the baking soda inside for about fifteen minutes.
After fifteen minutes have passed, put one cup of vinegar into the disposal for five minutes, then run the hot water until the disposal becomes unclogged.
2. The Ice and Salt Method to Clean A Disposal
Knowing how to clean a garbage disposal with ice and salt is relatively straightforward. Simply put two cups’ worth of ice cubes down the garbage disposal. Then, put about one cup of iodine table salt (some people believe rock salt is preferable) in your garbage disposal.
After the salt and ice are in the disposal, turn the cold water on and run your garbage disposal for as long as it takes to unclog it. Because the ice and salt create friction when they meet the insides of the disposal and its impellers, your disposal should unclog—assuming it isn’t too severe of a clog.
3. The Homemade Cleaning Cubes Method
To clean your disposal naturally, you can create your DIY cleaner at home by freezing lemon slices in white vinegar. To know how to clean a garbage disposal using this method, simply get an ice cube tray and put lemon slices covered with vinegar in each compartment. After the ice cube tray has frozen, put the cubes in your garbage disposal and run it with cold water until your disposal is cleaned or unclogged.
Always place a bucket under the work area
Tips On How to Deep Clean A Garbage Disposal
If you remove your garbage disposal for a more thorough cleaning it can be beneficial. That’s especially true if there’s a significant buildup of debris and food particles, or persistent odors that a regular cleaning hasn’t addressed. Here’s a detailed guide on deep-cleaning garbage disposal after removing it.
Materials needed:
- Bucket
- Screwdriver or wrench (depending on your disposal model)
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Small scrub brush or an old toothbrush
- Toothpicks or a small brush for crevices
- Towels or rags
- Rubber gloves
A 7-step guide on how to clean a garbage disposal by deep-cleaning it.
- (As always) Disconnect the power supply – unplug the disposal.
- Remove the disposal from under the sink drain: Just like cleaning a drain trap, before you remove the disposal, place a bucket underneath it to catch any icky spillage. Use a wrench or a screwdriver to loosen and disconnect drain pipes and dishwasher connections. If you then rotate the garbage disposal it should disconnect from its mounting ring.
- Empty the garbage disposal contents: Empty the contents of the disposal into your bucket (not the sink, you disconnected the drain!). Rinse the disposal with warm water using another sink (again, remember you disconnected the drain!).
- How to clean a garbage disposal by deep-cleaning: Disassemble any removable parts such as the impellers, rubber splash guards, etc. Let them soak in a bucket of warm soapy water for about 20 minutes or so to loosen up grease or food particles. Use a small brush or a toothbrush, and toothpicks to get into tight spots and crevices for a deep cleaning.
- Deodorize the entire unit: Knowing how to clean a garbage disposal properly also includes deodorizing it properly. Place a good amount of baking soda inside the disposal and cover it with vinegar. The foaming action will break down any gunk and grime remaining, and also deodorize the unit. Then just rinse the unit out.
- Clean around where the unit was mounted: Inspect and clean the sink flange and gaskets. You’ve gone this far, do the final touches!
- Reassemble, reinstall, and test: The final and important last steps in how to clean a garbage disposal properly are reassembling the unit, and reinstalling the unit. Reconnect the power supply, and test it out.
Unplug from the power supply, disconnect all hoses and drains, and a slight twist removes the unit from the attaching flange
Final Tips On How To Clean a Garbage Disposal
You want to be thorough when you’re cleaning a garbage disposal, so for the best clean possible. Knowing how to clean a garbage disposal should include the following tips:
- Always run water while cleaning a garbage disposal and be sure to run water before and after cleaning.
- It is okay to put small bones in your garbage disposal because they will rattle around and create friction that might break up whatever is clogging your disposal.
- Citrus, citrus, citrus can be your lifesaver! Lemons, limes, and oranges can remove bad smells and disinfect your garbage disposal.
- Use a toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas. The rubber seal of your garbage disposal might be where the unwanted odor originates. Be sure to scrub it well with a toothbrush.
These are all incredibly simple tips, but they can make a huge difference when cleaning a garbage disposal.
What to Keep in Mind When You’re Cleaning Your Disposal
When you find that your garbage disposal is clogged or smelly, your first instinct will be to clean it out because you want to have an operational disposal as soon as possible! While you are more familiar with how to clean out your garbage disposal by now, you should still be cautious and keep these things in mind as you try to do it yourself:
Safety Should Always Come First
Knowing how to clean a garbage disposal means always having safety in mind. Garbage disposals can grind up a lot more than just garbage and leftover food. Never do anything to jeopardize your safety when cleaning a garbage disposal.
Keep all hands out of the disposal while it’s on, and don’t use hazardous chemicals to clean it. Safety is crucial, so be smart when cleaning or unclogging your garbage disposal. The best advice for safe practices is frequently to simply disconnect the power supply before you undertake a cleaning chore.
Always Participate in Routine Maintenance
Do not wait until your garbage disposal is broken or smelly to clean it. Always perform routine cleanings on your garbage disposal to prevent the buildup of dirt and grime that could lead to smells and clogs in the future. You will thank yourself in the future if you do the work to prevent these issues.
Occasionally pouring boiling hot water down the disposal can not just wash away debris, but kill fruit flies inside your drains as well.
Know When the Pros Are Needed
As much as we would like to think that we can fix any clogged disposal that comes our way, sometimes, it isn’t possible to fix your garbage disposal without professional help. If you encounter problems that seem too severe to handle, it’s probably best to call in the professionals to help.
Need Professional Advice? Call Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning
We have explained a few methods that will make garbage disposal cleaning possible for homeowners and renters alike. But if you fear that it is too clogged or smelly for you to handle yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts at Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. We work hard to clean and unclog your garbage disposal so you won’t have to do it yourself.
No matter what your sewage and drain cleaning needs are, we can help you solve whatever problem is at hand. For more information, contact us today!
