Things You'll Need:
- ice
- lemon
- vinegar
- salt
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Step 1
A garbage disposal, also known as a food waste disposer, is such a helpful thing to have in the kitchen. It saves lots of time during meal prep and it keeps your garbage free of food. To keep your disposal clean and smelling fresh ... just follow these easy tips.
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Step 2
Once a week throw some ice cubes and sea salt down your drain. Turn on the disposal and let the blades churn the ice. The salt and ice will remove and food particles stuck to the blades or sides of the disposal unit.
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Step 3
I throw a sliced lemon or grapefruit down the disposal on a regular basis. The fresh citrus scent is a great way to get rid of odor and the acid of the fruit is ideal for cleaning.
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Step 4
Vinegar is a great way to clean so many things around the house. Rinsing your disposal with vinegar will help disinfect the blades. Bacteria on the blades can contribute to odor so it's best to disinfect once a week.
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Step 5
One of the best ways to rid your disposal of food particles and odor is to scrub the protective rubber covering that is at the very top of the disposal. Every couple of days, I use a small scrub brush and get in under the disposal rubber rim. Food collects there as the blades spin so it's important to remove the tiny left behind particles.
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Step 6
If your disposal came with a cover ... keep it on when not in use. This is great for keeping odor away and also for avoiding having anything fall into the disposal such as spoons, baby bottle parts, etc.
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Step 7
Always use care around your disposal. As helpful as they, are you cannot be too careful. NEVER attempt to clean a disposal that is running.
Comments
jrockjams said
on 12/16/2009 Neat ideas here. Im gonna try them, Thanks :) 5*
blessings98 said
on 8/20/2009 very clever!!
frozenmocha said
on 8/18/2009 I didn't know about the sea salt or the ice cubes. Thank-you!
justlou2you said
on 8/17/2009 Looks like great info. I may have to give this a shot.
lexajayne said
on 8/17/2009 Great tips! I've never heard of the ice cubes and sea salt. I have some, so I'll have to give it a shot!