How to Get the Smell Out of Garbage Disposals
A garbage disposal is a handy asset to the kitchen. It's so simple to just wash off your dishes right into the sink, flip a switch and watch the food disappear. Most people probably don't think much about cleaning garbage disposals. If you notice a foul smell coming from your garbage disposal, it's time to clean it to remove the odor. When the garbage disposal is turned on, the blades throw food and grime along the sides of the disposal. This build-up is what causes smell. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 2 to 3 ice cubes
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 cup white vinegar
- Drain plugs
- Large pot
- Old toothbrush
- Lemon, lime or orange peels
Instructions
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1
Turn on the tap and run water down the disposal. Turn on the disposal to flush away food and grime that may be inside of the disposal chamber. Turn off the disposal once any existing food has been flushed away.
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2
Put 2 to 3 ice cubes into the disposal chamber. Turn on the water and run the disposal for a minute to grind up the ice cubes. The ice will help to loosen stuck-on food on the blades and disposal grinders.
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3
Pour ½ cup baking soda down the garbage disposal opening. Add 1 cup white vinegar slowly down the hole. Immediately place the plug over the garbage disposal, as well as the plug over the drain on the opposite sink if you have one.
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4
Allow the baking soda and vinegar mixture to sit in the chamber for ten minutes. In the meantime, fill a large pot with water. Place it on the stove and bring the water to a boil.
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5
Remove the plugs from both sides of the sink after ten minutes has elapsed. Carefully and slowly pour the boiling water down the garbage disposal hole. Turn on the disposal for about a minute to get rid of any loose debris.
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6
Scrub the underside of each flap on the splash guard with an old toothbrush dipped in white vinegar. This is a primary place for odor-causing buildup to form.
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7
Place a few lemon, lime or orange peels into the garbage disposal and turn it on for a minute. This will help to freshen up the disposal.
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Tips & Warnings
For an alternative method of removing garbage disposal odor, mix 1 gallon water and 1 tbsp. bleach. Pour it down the disposal hole, allow it to sit for ten minutes and then run cold water and turn on the disposal.
