How to Eliminate and Prevent Garbage Disposal Odors

The garbage disposal system has become a standard kitchen gadget because it breaks down and flushes kitchen waste that would otherwise rot and attract pests in the trash bin. Unfortunately, after so many disposal cycles, the unit can get grimy and caked with ground-up food particles that harbor odor-causing bacteria. When your garbage disposal system starts to smell funky, it's time for some cleanup action. Read on for tips to remove and prevent garbage disposal odors.

Things You'll Need

• Scrub brush
• Dish detergent
• Lemons
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Ice cubes
• Rock salt

Instructions

1. Clean the drain trap. Pull up the rubber drain trap and use a stiff brush to scrub off the accumulated grime, especially from the underside.

2. Degrease the unit with a solution of dish detergent. Plug the drain with a stopper and turn on the faucet. When there's about 2 to 3 gallons of water in the sink, add 2 to 3 capfuls of dish detergent. Turn on the garbage disposal unit as you remove the stopper to let the water drain through. The detergent solution will swish through the disposal unit and rinse out the grease and other leftover food particles.

3. Knock out the leftover food particles with ice cubes. Pour as many ice cubes in the disposal as it will hold, and then turn the unit on. The ice will solidify the grease and fats clinging to the walls of the disposal and send them down the drain together with the ice chips. The ice will also help sharpen the blades of the disposal unit. Run cold water while grinding the ice cubes.

4. Clean the unit with vinegar. Plug the drain with a stopper and turn on the faucet. When there's about 2 to 3 gallons of water in the sink, add 2 to 3 cups of white vinegar. Turn on the garbage disposal as you remove the stopper to let the vinegar solution drain through. The vinegar will help clean and disinfect the inside of the disposal unit.

5. Clean the unit with baking soda and vinegar. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the disposal unit. Then pour 1 cup of white vinegar. The foaming action breaks down the food particles and kills the odor-causing bacteria. Let the solution stand for 20 to 30 minutes; then turn on the faucet and run the disposal to flush the unit.

6. Freshen the disposal unit periodically by grinding citrus peels or leftover slices and wedges.

7. Combine the cleaning and deodorizing properties of ice cubes and vinegar. Freeze vinegar solution into ice cubes and use them to rinse out the disposal unit.

Tips & Warnings

• Freeze leftover lemon or lime wedges and use them to clean and freshen the garbage disposal unit.

• Add rock salt to the ice cubes to help in dislodging encrusted grime and debris from the walls of the disposal.

• Clean the underside of the drain trap as often as needed to prevent buildup of food particles, grime and odor-causing bacteria.

• Never drop large, tough and fibrous foodstuffs in the garbage disposal because they will either compromise the disposal blades or remain in the unit to decay.

• Never run the disposal unit without water running through it.

Resources

• HomeTips: Garbage Disposal Repair and Troubleshooting