Is your kitchen is starting to smell like a science experiment gone wrong? Have you cleaned everything in the kitchen yet still can’t seem to get rid of that foul odor?

This could be a sign that it’s time to clean your garbage disposal. We often overlook this part of our kitchen, assuming that because we are running some water down that it’s clean enough.

But garbage disposals can actually hold a lot of excess food and bacteria, leading to a very unpleasant smell. Knowing how to clean a garbage disposal can help prevent this smell from occurring and keep your sink squeaky clean!

Keep reading to learn more.

1. Scrub What You Can See

The first thing you should do when cleaning out your garbage disposal is to thoroughly scrub everything you can see. Before doing this, you may wish to turn off your garbage disposal to be extra cautious and remember to never stick your hands down into the disposal.

Take a scrub brush or dish wand and apply a generous amount of soap. Use this to scrub the inside of your disposal, particularly around the splash guard, as food can often build up in this area.

2. Flush It Out

If you wish to clean your disposal further, consider giving it a deep soak and flush. You’ll want to plug the drain and fill it up with hot soapy water, maybe even adding in some vinegar for an extra deep clean.

Let this sit for five minutes or so. Next, un-plug the disposal and turn it on to allow the hot soapy water to flush through the system. This will help to rinse out any leftover food particles.

3. Use Salt Or Citrus

For an even deeper clean, you can use salt as a scrubbing agent to help get rid of grime and build-up. To do this, place some ice cubes into the disposal with around a half of a cup of salt.

This combination will work to scrape away at sludge that may be causing the odor. You can also throw in a leftover lemon peel or even cut up pieces of the fruit. This will act as a natural deodorizer and the peel will helo to clean around the blades and the wall of your disposal.

Plus, the citrus oils will fill your kitchen with the refreshing scent of lemon.

4. Preventative Maintenance

The best way to prevent the build-up of bacteria, and thus prevent the smell, in your garbage disposal it to clean it regularly before having a problem. You shouldn’t wait until it starts smelling to flush it out or give it a good scrub.

Running hot water through the garbage disposal for about a minute after each time you use the machine is a great way to rinse out food particles and ensure that it never starts to smell.

The Importance Of Knowing How To Clean A Garbage Disposal

Now that you know how to clean a garbage disposal, be sure to add this to your cleaning list. Garbage disposals are great additions to any kitchen. And with a little attention and maintenance, they can stay as clean as the rest of your home.

For all of your cleaning needs, be sure to contact us!