When you walk into your kitchen, ready to prepare a delicious meal, the last thing you want is to be greeted by a foul garbage disposal smell. It’s a frustrating issue that can turn an enjoyable kitchen task into an unpleasant chore.
Fortunately, this is a common and fixable issue faced by many homeowners. Because of the function they serve, garbage disposals are susceptible to developing unpleasant odors over time.
Why Do Garbage Disposals Smell?
Garbage disposal smells are often caused by accumulated food debris and bacteria. The appliance is designed to break down food waste and scraps so they don’t clog your pipes. However, not all particles flow down the drain.
When leftover particles become stuck inside the unit, they eventually release unpleasant odors as they decay. Fats, oils, and grease poured into the unit can contribute to the issue and worsen the smell coming from it.
What To Do With a Smelly Garbage Disposal: 4 Home Remedies To Try
If you are dealing with a foul-smelling garbage disposal unit, here are some effective tricks to freshen it up:
1. Baking Soda and White Vinegar
Using baking soda and white vinegar is an easy and effective way to clean and deodorize your garbage disposal. To begin, pour half a cup of baking soda into the unit and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. This gives it time to absorb and neutralize the odor.
Then, add a cup of white vinegar and allow the mixture to bubble for 10 minutes. The combination of baking soda and white vinegar not only kills odor-causing bacteria and germs but also cleans away leftover deposits inside the unit.
Finish the cleaning by rinsing the unit with cold water. Let it run for at least 15 seconds to flush the mixture completely.
2. Ice Cubes and Rock Salt
Ice and salt are an effective combination in cleaning disposals and removing foul odors. Ice cubes dislodge stuck-on debris, while the salt acts as a natural abrasive, cleaning the unit’s blades and neutralizing any odor.
All you have to do is pour two cups of ice cubes into the disposal, followed by a cup of rock salt. Run cold water and turn on the unit to allow the garbage disposal to break the ice cubes and disperse the rock salt inside it. Let it run until it stops producing a grinding sound, and repeat the steps as necessary to remove lingering smells.
4. Citrus Slices & Peels
The citrus fruits you have at home can also be used to solve your frustrating garbage disposal smell issues. If you have lemons on hand, slice them into eight and place one at a time into the disposal. Let cold water run and turn on the unit to let it work its magic.
Citrus peels can also help clean and deodorize your garbage disposal. However, remember to cut them into smaller pieces to avoid clogs and blockages. The peels contain natural oils effective in killing odor-causing bacteria and fungi, while their non-fibrous texture can naturally scrub out the interior of your disposal unit.
5. Bottle Brush
Physically cleaning the inside of your unit can also help remove garbage disposal smells. This can be done safely with a bottle brush.
Unplug your disposal’s power cord or turn off its breaker switch to ensure it doesn’t turn on while you clean. Then, use hot, soapy water and a bottle brush to remove any lodged food waste inside your garbage disposal. Once done, rinse with cold water before plugging the unit back in or turning on the breaker switch.
How To Prevent Garbage Disposal Smells
Preventing garbage disposal smells is as essential as addressing them. Follow these tips to maintain a fresh-smelling disposal system:
Pay Attention to What You Put in Your Disposal
Avoid dumping grease, large bones, and fibrous or starchy foods like celery and potatoes down the disposal. These items are more likely to cause clogs and unpleasant smells.
Stick to Organic Waste
Stick to grinding organic waste, such as food scraps, to minimize the risk of residue buildup. Feeding manufactured materials into your disposal system can contribute to blockages and odors.
Allow the Disposal To Run for at Least 30 Seconds
After disposing of food scraps, run the disposal for at least 30 seconds with cold water. Doing so helps ensure the food is broken down thoroughly, making it less likely for particles to be left behind.
Get Professional Assistance When Garbage Disposal Smells Persist
While these home remedies help remove foul smells from your garbage disposal, they cannot fix serious problems. If you notice persistent or recurring odor problems, it’s best to get in touch with professionals. Food particles or other grime stuck inside your unit not only causes bad smells but also makes them less efficient at grinding food waste.
At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Argyle, our certified plumbers are trained to fix a wide range of issues with garbage disposal systems. Whether you’re dealing with unpleasant smells, strange noises, or ineffective garbage disposal, they get to the bottom of the problem to perform the most appropriate fix.
Say goodbye to garbage disposal smells with bluefrog Plumbing + Drain as your trusted Argyle plumber. Call us anytime for help – we are available 24/7/365 to restore your disposal system and let you enjoy your time in the kitchen again.
