How to Control Garbage Disposal Odors
A garbage disposal is supposed to eliminate odors by chopping up garbage and sending it down the drain. But occasionally the disposal itself becomes the source of smells. If the smell is caused by garbage collecting inside a jammed disposal, see How to Fix a Jammed Garbage Disposal. Otherwise, the steps here should fix the problem.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Inspect the black rubber cover that fits in the disposal. Sometimes bits of garbage collect under the flaps and create a smell.
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2
Clean the rubber cover, if necessary. If yours lifts out, remove it and clean away debris with a scrub brush and warm, soapy water. If your rubber cover is installed permanently, lift up each flap and clean it with soapy water and an old toothbrush.
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3
Deodorize the disposal. Cut a lemon in half and drop the fruit and a handful of baking soda into the disposal. Turn on the cold water faucet and then the disposal. The unit will clean itself as it grinds up the mixture.
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Tips & Warnings
If you need to work anywhere near a garbage disposal's blades, shut off the switch or turn off the circuit breaker first.
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Comments
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forager206
Jul 31, 2010
Uhh.. .. Compost . This ehow reminds me of the term "Away" . Like "throw away". Where exactly is "away" anyway? There is a place for rotting food,but its isn't into the water supply . Nor chemical solvents in the magical "away" hole in the sink. I suggest an indoor compost pail with a charcoal filter & a little research on yard composting or where your local pile is. my 2 cents =) -
helpermonkey
Jul 30, 2010
I Have Found That Dumping A Box Of Ice From The Freezer Into The Garbage Disposal Cleans The Inside Mostly, But Cleaning The Rubber Part With Soapy Water And Baking Soda Is A Good Ideal.
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grannykaren
Jul 29, 2010
Good article. We have a disposal at work and every so often it smells pretty bad. I will have to try this.
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Marleen Graham
Jul 29, 2010
Thanks for the tip. I usually use baking soda.
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Larry Fike
Jul 28, 2010
Well I basically agree with barteks' comments, but if you're going to use the garbage disposal (I removed mine from my house and started a compost heap), a neat trick I learned years ago is to fill it with ice and, say, Comet, and then run it. The ice scrapes stuff off the walls that water alone may not.
