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Home Kitchen & Household


KILL THAT NASTY SMELL COMING FROM YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL

Try these simple tips to keep your garbage disposal running properly and
smelling nice.

Robin Raven
Aug. 25, 2022 4:35 a.m. PT
4 min read
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We talked to cleaning experts to find the best ways to kill the nasty smell
coming from your garbage disposal.
-Oxford- / Getty Images

This story is part of Home Tips, CNET's collection of practical advice for
getting the most out of your home, inside and out.

Your garbage disposal does a lot of work helping get rid of your leftovers each
day -- but all that old food can leave it smelling pretty gross.   

The most common reason for a gross garbage disposal is the smell from food
particles left behind, often due to not running enough water after using it,
according to Matthew Lefler, the vice president of operations at Mr. Rooter
Plumbing. Unfortunately, there may be many culprits, including the plug or
stopper, the pipes, the disposal itself or even the blades. That means you may
need to test out a few different solutions to get to the bottom of the stink,
and banish it.

We talked to cleaning experts to find the best ways to kill the nasty smell
coming from your garbage disposal, so your kitchen remains a stink-free zone.
For more cleaning tips, check out how to clean your fridge, the best way to
clean your blender and how to clean a cast-iron skillet.

Read more: Best Dishwasher for 2022


BEST METHODS FOR CLEANING YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL 


1. RUN ICE CUBES THROUGH THE DISPOSAL

An easy way to clean your garbage disposal is to run about 12 ice cubes through
it, while also running cold water, according to Vera Peterson, the president of
Molly Maid. 

After the ice cubes are processed, Peterson recommends cutting up a lemon and
putting all the pieces of it through the disposal for a clean, fresh scent.

To clean the underside of the garbage disposal's rubber lip, Wash with the
scrubbing side of a vinegar-soaked sponge. "There are a lot of germs in this
area, so make sure to wear gloves and rinse thoroughly," Peterson said. 

Old food and mold can build up in your garbage disposal to produce foul odors. 

Bill Oxford/Getty Images


2. CLEAN THE RUBBER RING

You should also clean the rubber ring of the garbage disposal. Make sure the
disposal is turned off, and use a rag soaked in disinfectant to wipe the top and
bottom of the rubber ring in your sink. "It's this easily accessible area that's
usually the culprit with a smelly disposal or one that is attracting fruit
flies," Peterson said. 


3. DAILY CLEANING TIPS 

For a simple way to clean your garbage disposal every day, Lefler says that
after using the disposal you should plug your sink drain. Then fill the basil
halfway with water, a squirt of dish soap, and a cup of vinegar. Then unplug it
and run the disposal as this mixture drains, leaving the disposal on for 5
seconds after the grinding noises have evened out. 


4. WEEKLY DEEP CLEANING TIPS

For a weekly cleaning, Lefler recommends using baking soda and vinegar for a
quick but thorough cleansing. First, pour half a cup of baking soda into the
garbage disposal, then follow that by a cup of vinegar. Add it slowly and let
the mixture fizz.

If you have a double sink, plug one side, and follow the above instructions on
the other. Pour hot water down the drain to rinse away debris the fizzy mixture
has loosened. Now, fill the drain with 2 cups of ice, adding 1 cup of coarse
rock or sea salt if you have it. Run the cold water and the disposal. Finally,
cut a lemon or lime in half, adding the halves to the drain one at a time to
deodorize your disposal.

You can use vinegar and baking soda as a quick fix to a stinky drain. 

Taylor Martin/CNET


HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL?

To keep your garbage disposal running properly and smelling nice, Lefler
recommends cleaning it at least once a week. That way you can avoid having to do
a deep clean every time. 


SAFETY TIPS FOR CLEANING YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL

It's important to keep your hands safe while cleaning a garbage disposal, since
it's made up of several sharp blades. Getting cut, especially by a blade that's
touched food and potentially mold and bacteria, could risk infection, Lefler
said. To clean the blades, he recommends using a scrub brush with a long handle
that will help you clean without getting too close. 

Want even more kitchen cleaning hacks? Check out our tips for safely removing
grease from hard-to-reach places and how to deep clean your grill the right
way. 


MORE CLEANING TIPS FOR YOU

 * 14 Cleaning Tools That'll Make You Excited to Clean in 2022
   
 * How to Kill Mold in Your Washer and Prevent It From Coming Back
 * How Often Should You Clean Your Makeup Brushes? We'll Explain
 * How to Remove Stubborn Makeup Stains From Your Bedding
 * You Really Need to De-Gunk Your Keurig: 5 Steps for Better Brewing
 * You Don't Actually Need a Plunger to Unclog a Toilet
 * The Truth Is Your Yoga Mat Is Gross (and You Need to Clean It)
 * Cat Peed On the Couch? Here's How to Clean It







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