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Garbage Disposal Cleaning Tips


No one really enjoys cleaning their garbage disposal, but it’s a necessary task. Thankfully, there are some garbage disposal cleaning tips and tricks that can make the process a little easier. If you’re in need of some guidance on how to clean a garbage disposal, you’re in luck!

In this blog post, Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbing explains some of our favorite tips to help you clean your garbage disposal. Learn how to get rid of a smelly garbage disposal and remove food scraps, food residue, and food particles from the kitchen sink drain opening, splash guard, grinding chamber, and grinder blades of your disposal. Achieve a clean garbage disposal with household items such as rock salt, ice cubes, vinegar and baking soda, grease-cutting dish soap, and citrus peels.

Garbage Disposal Components

Many homeowners don’t know how the disposal works or what its main parts are. The garbage disposal is actually a fairly simple machine. It consists of a motor, a flywheel, a shredder ring, and a grinding chamber. The motor turns the flywheel, which in turn rotates the shredder ring. The shredder ring has grinding blades with sharp teeth that break up the food waste as it passes through the grinding chamber. The grinding chamber is where the food waste is finally pulverized into small pieces that can be flushed away with water. Knowing the main parts of the garbage disposal can help you to troubleshoot problems and keep your kitchen tidy and free of unpleasant odors.

If you have a garbage disposal in your sink, you may have noticed a couple of small rubber parts sitting down in the drain. These rubber parts are known as the baffle, and they serve an important purpose. The baffle helps to keep food waste inside the garbage disposal and cut down on noise while running the garbage disposal. If your baffle is worn out or missing, you may notice that food waste starts to build up in your drain. This can cause clogs and attract pests. Replacing your baffles is a quick and easy way to keep your sink drain clean and operating smoothly.

Garbage Disposal Cleaning Tips

If your garbage disposal starts to smell, it’s time for a deep clean. With regular cleaning, your garbage disposal will stay smelling fresh and running smoothly. Buckeye Heating & Cooling explains some common methods for how to clean a garbage disposal that are quick and easy to do in your home. Each garbage disposal cleaning technique uses simple ingredients you probably already have at home in addition to cold water and warm water from your kitchen sink faucet.

Using Ice and Cold Water

Ice and cold water can be used to clean your garbage disposal and remove any built-up gunk. Just add a few cups of ice to the disposal and run it for a minute or two with the cold water on. The ice will help sharpen the blades and break up any stuck-on food. Run the garbage disposal for a minute or so once the ice is done grinding to flush everything out.

Using Ice and Salt

If your garbage disposal starts to smell or if it becomes clogged, you can clean it with ice and rock salt. First, add a cup of rock salt to some ice cubes. Then, put the ice cubes down the disposal and turn it on. The ice will help break up any clogs and the rock salt will scrub away any buildup. Run cold water when you turn the disposal on so that the ice doesn’t melt too quickly and you keep the appliance working properly.

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are two common natural ingredients most people have around the house that can be used to clean a garbage disposal. You don’t need harsh chemicals to get the job done!

To use them, simply sprinkle baking soda into the disposal, followed by a generous amount of vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes before running hot water down the drain. The baking soda will help to break down any food particles, while the vinegar will disinfect the disposal and leave it smelling fresh. Repeat this process once a week to keep your disposal clean and free of odors.

Using Citrus Peels

Many people worry about the smell of their garbage disposal, but did you know that there is an easy and natural way to deodorize it? Citrus peel cut into small pieces can help to freshen up your disposal and leave your kitchen smelling great. Simply put a few pieces of peel down the disposal and grind them up while running the cold water. The citrus oils will help to mask any unpleasant odors, and the grinding action will help to break down any buildup of waste in the disposal. You can use this method weekly to keep your disposal smelling fresh all year long.

Using Borax

If your garbage disposal is starting to smell, it may be time for a deep clean. Fortunately, this is a simple process that can be done using a common household product: borax. First, mix together equal parts borax and water to create a paste. Then, use a rubber spatula to spread the paste around the inside of the disposal. Next, turn on the hot water with your garbage disposal and let it run for a few minutes to grind up the paste. Finally, rinse away any remaining paste with hot water. You should do this cleaning once every few months to keep your disposal smelling fresh.

Using Dish Soap and Hot Water

One of the most dreaded cleaning tasks in the kitchen is cleaning the garbage disposal. Fortunately, there is an easy way to clean this smelly appliance. Simply mix hot water and dish soap in your sink and let the mixture run into the garbage disposal while it is turned on. The hot water will help to loosen any gunk that is stuck to the blades, and the dish soap will disinfect the appliance. For an extra fresh scent, add a few drops of lemon juice to the mixture. After a few minutes, turn off the garbage disposal and let it sit for another five minutes before rinsing it with hot water. Then, give it a final rinse with cold water to remove any remaining soap residue. Your garbage disposal will be clean and fresh-smelling in no time!

Using Boiling Water

Start by pour boiling water into your garbage disposal. This will help to loosen any tough food particles and remove them. Then turn on the garbage disposal after a few minutes and run hot water to flush it out.

Boiling water is a great garbage disposal cleaning method to use alone or with other techniques. You can also add a handful of ice cubes to sharpen the blades and remove any lingering odors. For a deeper clean, you can add a cup of baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing with hot water.

Using Baking Soda and Dish Soap

You can clean your garbage disposal with a simple mixture of baking soda and dish soap. Just disconnect the power, scrub the garbage disposal splash guard, blades, and canister with the mixture and a small brush, and rinse with hot water. Once you’re done, your garbage disposal will be good as new.

How to Use the Garbage Disposal Correctly

A garbage disposal is a great way to reduce food waste, but it’s important to use it properly. Here are some tips:

  • Cut large pieces of food into smaller pieces before putting them in the disposal. This will help to prevent jamming.
  • Avoid putting hard shells, bones, or coffee grounds in the disposal. These can damage the blades.
  • Run cold water while the disposal is running and for a few seconds afterwards. This will help to flush debris down the drain.
  • Never put your hand in the disposal! If something gets stuck, use tongs or pliers to remove it.

By following these simple tips, you can keep your garbage disposal running smoothly for years to come.

Get Help with Your Garbage Disposal

A little bit of preventative maintenance can go a long way in keeping your garbage disposal running smoothly. By following these simple tips for cleaning your garbage disposal, you can help to avoid costly repairs and keep your kitchen smelling fresh. If you do experience any problems with your Columbus garbage disposal, contact us today for expert repair services. We’ll have it up and running like new in no time!

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