How to Naturally Deodorize the Garbage Disposal

When garbage disposal odors persist, call a plumber for an evaluation.

Routinely cleaning your garbage disposal is your best defense against foul odors and mold growth. The garbage disposal is the perfect breeding ground for bacterial proliferation and mildew formation as well. Offensive disposal odors are not only unpleasant to experience, they can also harm your health. Inhaling mold spores can cause coughing, breathing difficulties, headaches and sinus infections. There are steps you can take, however, to naturally deodorize the garbage disposal using a few ordinary household items and simple techniques.

Things You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Ice cubes
• Lemons
• Borax
• Orange juice
• Household bleach

Instructions

1. Pour 1/2 cup of undiluted white vinegar into your garbage disposal to deodorize and freshen the unit. Let the vinegar sit for an hour before you rinse with hot water for a full minute. The vinegar odor will fade after a couple of hours, leaving your disposal smelling clean.

2. Grind up a few ice cubes in your garbage disposal to loosen embedded food. Run the water when grinding up the ice cubes so that old food particles and odors get washed away as the abrasive ice chips scour the disposal unit.

3. Toss half a lemon into the disposal unit while running it with the water on. Lemons cut through odor-causing grease and release a fresh citrus fragrance.

4. Add 1/2 cup of powdered borax to your garbage disposal to neutralize odors and freshen the disposal.

5. Throw a few sprigs of fresh parsley into your garbage disposal to naturally deodorize it. Parsley contains odor-busting compounds that cut odors and sweeten garbage disposal smells.

6. Combine 2 cups of household bleach with 1 cup water in a bowl, and slowly pour the mixture down your garbage disposal. Let it sit for five minutes while the bleach kills odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus. After five minutes, turn on the hot water for two full minutes so the bleach and bacteria are washed away. Never add bleach to your disposal in the presence of other chemicals, as this might cause dangerous gases to escape into the air.

Tips & Warnings

• Make orange juice ice cubes by mixing equal portions of pulp-free orange juice and water. Pour the liquid into cube trays and allow them to completely freeze through. Whenever your garbage disposal needs deodorizing, throw a couple of cubes into the unit to clean it and reduce odors.

• Always run your water when the garbage disposal is on because not doing so can cause damage to the unit.

• Never stick your hand in the garbage disposal, even when the unit is off. You might inadvertently trip up the relay switch and incur a severe injury.

References

• Eco Cycle: Alternative Cleaners and Recipes
• Clark County Washington: Air Fresheners
• Alameda County Water District: FAQS