How to Deodorize a Garbage Disposal and Garbage Pail

Garbage disposals and garbage pails provide convenient ways to dispose of peels, shells, and rinds, but convenience sometimes comes with a price. During warm weather, odors may back up and leave your kitchen smelling unpleasant. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to deodorize the disposal and garbage pail, and leave your kitchen smelling clean and fresh.

Things You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Soft cloth or paper towels
• Lemons
• Borax

Instructions

1. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze. Drop several "vinegar cubes" into the garbage disposal to clean and freshen it whenever odor develops.

2. Cut a lemon in half. Run half of the lemon through the garbage disposal, and follow with a rinse of cold water. The lemon releases a fresh fragrance into your kitchen.

3. Mix 1 cup baking soda with 1 gallon warm water in a basin. Wash the inside of the garbage pail with the baking soda and water solution to clean and deodorize it. Dry the pail with a soft cloth or paper towels. Sprinkle baking soda between layers of garbage as the can fills, to prevent odors.

Tips & Warnings

• Sprinkle 1/2 cup of borax onto the bottom of garbage pails to curtail the growth of bacteria that cause odors.

References

• University of Wisconsin Extension: Green Cleaning
• Michigan State University Extension; Homemade Cleaners; June 2003