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

Things You'll Need:

• Scrub Brush
• Lemon
• Baking Soda
• Soap
• Baking Soda
• Old Toothbrush
• Soap

1. Inspect the black rubber cover that fits in the disposal. Sometimes bits of garbage collect under the flaps and create a smell.

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.

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.

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.

[Rammar]

on 9/23/2008 Saved pickle juice and a little baking soda always do the trick, put 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, pour the pickle juice (vinegar works great too) down the drain and the foaming action actually scours your disposal, blades, flaps and all and it smells nice and fresh. I do this every 4 to 6 weeks and never have a problem with odors.

[Rigel54]

on 9/20/2008 The bacteria are only half the problem, and a modest amount of rubbing alcohol (70% isopropanol) won't even kill all of those. The lemon cleans (food residue is the main problem), and leaves an oil coating and a pleasant smell. The bleach will kill most of the bugs, but will damage the rubber parts over time (don't repeat too often).

[BadSideEfex]

on 9/17/2008 I use bleach mixed with water, and after that I sprinkle a little bit of carpet fresh with baking soda for a really good smell.

[desolator144]

on 9/16/2008 lemons are wimpy. I say turn it on and dump some rubbing alcohol down it and say bye bye to the bacteria, which are of course the cause of the smell.

[DiscountTickets]

on 9/16/2008 Great article, I never though of doing this before, thank you so much.