How to clean a garbage disposal and get rid of the smell

Step by step: how to clean a garbage disposal and get rid of the smell

Safety first. Never put your hand in a garbage disposal, even when it is off. Turn it off at the switch and unplug it or switch off the breaker before clearing anything, and use tongs. Do not use chemical drain cleaners or bleach, and never mix bleach with vinegar or other cleaners.

1. 1

   Turn the disposal off at the switch

   Flip the wall switch off. If the disposal plugs into an outlet under the sink, unplug it too, or switch off its breaker. Do this before anything goes near the opening.

2. 2

   Look inside and remove objects

   Shine a flashlight into the chamber. If you see a bottle cap, utensil, bone or fruit pit, pull it out with tongs or pliers, never your fingers.

3. 3

   Scrub the splash guard

   The rubber flaps in the drain opening collect slime and cause most of the smell. Lift each flap and scrub both sides with a brush and dish soap. If your model has a removable baffle, pull it out and wash it in the sink.

4. 4

   Grind ice with cold water

   Turn the power back on. Run a steady stream of cold water, switch the disposal on and drop in about 2 cups of ice cubes. The ice knocks food residue off the grinding parts; run it until the grinding sound stops.

5. 5

   Grind citrus wedges

   With cold water still running, feed in a few lemon, lime or orange wedges one at a time. The rinds scrub the grind chamber and leave a fresh smell. Let water run for about 10 seconds after the grinding stops.

6. 6

   Deodorize with baking soda and vinegar

   For a stronger smell, switch the disposal off, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, then 1 cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz for 10 minutes, then run cold water and the disposal for 30 seconds to flush it.

7. 7

   Use a disposal cleaner monthly if you like

   Foaming disposal cleaner tablets are an easy monthly option. Follow the label exactly, since some call for hot water at a low flow rather than cold.

Which garbage disposal cleaning method should you use?

The best way to clean a garbage disposal is to match the method to the job: ice and citrus for upkeep, and baking soda and vinegar or a cleaner tablet when it smells. Clean the splash guard every time, because that is usually the source.

InSinkErator’s cleaning guide recommends ice, citrus wedges fed with cool water, and on its Evolution models a baffle you can pull out and rinse. It also explains that disposals do not have blades: impellers push food against a grind ring, so ice cleans those parts rather than sharpening anything. affresh’s disposal cleaner is used monthly or as needed.

What should you never put down a garbage disposal?

Fats, oils and grease are the biggest problem, followed by chemical drain cleaners and non-food items. Most clogs and smells start with one of them.

• Grease, oil and fat. InSinkErator says they collect inside the pipes and cause many plumbing problems. Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel first.
• Hot water while grinding. Cold water keeps fats solid so they are chopped and flushed instead of coating the pipes.
• Chemical drain cleaners and bleach. They are corrosive and can damage the disposal’s seals and metal parts. If the sink is clogged, use a plunger or call a plumber.
• Coffee grounds and eggshells in bulk. The disposal handles them, but they can build up in older pipes. Feed small amounts with plenty of cold water.
• Non-food items. Twist ties, rubber bands, produce stickers, glass and cigarette butts do not grind and can jam it.

What if it still smells, hums or will not start?

A smell that comes back after cleaning usually comes from the drain line, not the disposal. A hum or no sound at all usually means a jam or a tripped reset.

• Persistent smell: check the dishwasher drain hose connection, and clean the sink stopper and the other side of a double sink. A slow drain may mean a clog in the trap below.
• Will not turn on: switch it off and press the red reset button on the bottom of the unit. InSinkErator says the button pops out about a quarter inch when it trips; if it will not stay in, wait ten minutes and try again.
• Hums but does not spin: it is jammed. With the power off, many disposals have a hex socket in the center of the bottom; turn it back and forth with the wrench that came with the unit (usually a 1/4 inch hex key), then remove the object with tongs and press reset.
• Leaks from the bottom of the unit: that is an internal seal failing; the disposal usually needs replacing.

If you clean the disposal, clean the drain next; our guide to cleaning a sink drain covers the trap and stopper.

Mistakes to avoid

• Reaching into the disposal by hand, even with the switch off.
• Pouring chemical drain cleaner or bleach down the disposal.
• Running hot water while grinding greasy food, which lets fat coat the pipes.
• Ignoring the rubber splash guard, which is where most of the smell lives.
• Grinding a big batch of food at once instead of feeding it in gradually.
• Turning the water off as soon as grinding stops instead of letting it run a few more seconds.