Over time your garbage disposal may begin to wear down or start to smell. Because food scraps are dumped down your disposal, some particles may stick around and need to be removed. Working to deodorize your garbage disposal is easier than it sounds and can actually improve the function of your disposal as well.
S&B Plumbing knows that your disposal is something that is used almost daily. Our plumbing team wants to help all of these plumbing mechanisms run smoothly during your daily activities. Here are our expert tips on how to clean and deodorize your garbage disposal.
1- The Power Of Citrus
The peels of lemons or oranges are a great natural remedy for deodorizing. They help to refresh your sink and disposal with their strong scent and acidic properties. Before you put a large fruit in your garbage disposal, cut up pieces of the fruit or the peel into small pieces that your disposal can safely handle. Run cold water while the disposal runs and grinds the peels.
2- Avoid Clogging Foods In Your Disposal
While your garbage disposal is meant for food scraps, there are some food items that should not be put down the drain or garbage disposal as it can lead to major clogs. Protecting clogs and leftover food gumming up will protect your garbage disposal from strong odors in the first place.
Foods or particles like grease, coffee grounds, excessive rice or pasta, fibrous foods, and nonfood items. These items can expand or stick to the sides of your drain and pipes, causing backup and the need to deodorize your garbage disposal.
3- Tried And True Home Remedies
Natural remedies have been used to clean homes for centuries. Some of these natural remedies like baking soda and vinegar are effective for cleaning multiple areas of your home. When it comes time to deodorize your garbage disposal, dump the baking soda in first and then pour the vinegar on top. The reaction will create a foam and deodorize at the same time.
Leave the mixture for about five minutes before rinsing it down with hot water. This home remedy may not work for severely clogged pipes or strong smells. These should be handled by a professional plumber.
4- Clean With Borax
Another common cleaner found in homes is Borax, which is commonly used to clean washing machines. This product can be used in a similar fashion as the baking soda cleaning method above. Sprinkle the Borax into the disposal and run cold water for about 30 seconds down the drain.
5- Lemon And Herb Ice
If you have some extra time or are deep cleaning your home, you can create some citrus and herb ice cubes to help strengthen and deodorize your garbage disposal. Chop up some lemon and place it in an ice cube tray with some mint, rosemary, or thyme. Once the ice is frozen, dump it down the drain and turn on the disposal. This will add freshness to your sink and help sharpen the blades.
6- Keep Non-Food Items Out
Some foods need to be kept out of your garbage disposal, but you also need to be conscious about keeping nonfood items out of your garbage disposal. Items like glass, plastic, cigarette butts, or anything combustible should not be run through your garbage disposal.
When you deodorize your garbage disposal, none of these products should be used to help clean out the blades or remove food. These items could make your disposal stop working or damage the entire mechanism. If you want to keep your disposal in good working condition, only putting small food scraps into it will keep it from experiencing damage.
Plumbing And Repair With S&B Plumbing
S&B Plumbing wants to help make your home functional and safe. Our professional plumbers can help fix problems with your garbage disposal, pipes, water heaters, gas lines, sewer systems, and more. Our team has been in business for over 25 years and continues to learn more about techniques to improve your home and make your plumbing system safe.
S&B Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency services for your home as well. We travel quickly and complete a job efficiently to get your home back in proper order and give you peace of mind. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.
