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5 Ways Can I Make My Garbage Disposal Smell Fresh Again

One of the handiest things to have in your kitchen is a garbage disposal. It makes quick work of cleaning off dishes, pots, and pans. Plus, you do not have to worry about putting food in your garbage cans that might entice vermin.

Most garbage disposals work by flipping a switch above the sink. All you have to do is put small scraps of food in it and run cold water while it disposes of the waste.

cut_up_some_citrusUnfortunately, anything that handles waste is going to collect smells after a while. If you use your garbage disposal a lot, it is naturally going to get some build-up that will stink. Often, it starts as a slightly sour smell around the sink. If you let it go for a while, a dirty garbage disposal can smell up the whole kitchen.

Sometimes the whole disposal may get clogged, and you need a professional plumber to fix it. One of the biggest culprits of clogged and smelly garbage disposals is grease.

Some people may not think about dumping a bunch of oil down their disposal. When it cools, the oil can make a big clog in the disposal or the drain pipes. Grease also can build up and cause terrible smells.

There are a few things you can do to keep your garbage disposal clean and fresh. You just have to be careful what you put down it and be sure to run water in it while it is working. The best remedy is prevention. If your garbage disposal smells like something died in it, try some of these proven remedies to make it fresh again.

1. Use Natural Remedies

  • Baking Soda and White Vinegar: One of the greenest ways of freshening your garbage disposal is to pour ¼ cup of baking soda in it, then add a cup of white vinegar. The bubbling reaction naturally kills bacteria and germs that cause odor. Let it bubble for a few minutes and then run some water through the disposal. This method also cleans away mineral deposits that can be harboring smelly germs.
  • Borax: This is a powerful mineral that cleans and destroys odor. Use a half cup of borax in your garbage disposal once a week to keep in smelling fresh.
  • Salt and Ice: When used together, salt and ice clean all the gunk out of the disposal that is responsible for the awful odors. It also cleans the disposal blades well.
  • Mouthwash: Many people do not know that the original mouthwash started out as an antiseptic treatment to sterilize surgery tools. If mouthwash can kill germs that cause bad breath, it will work just as well in the garbage disposal. Just rinse your disposal with a cup of mouthwash whenever it needs to be refreshed.

garbage-disposal2. The Power of Citrus

Citrus fruits are acidic and contain natural oils that are antibacterial and anti-fungal. Plus, they make your garbage disposal have a pleasant, citrus smell. Most of these oils are in the rinds of oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes.

To take advantage of Mother Nature's lovely deodorizer, grind a handful of peelings in your garbage disposal whenever it starts to stink. Some people like to cut up slices and use the whole fruit. The citrus oils kill odor-causing bacteria and whisk away stinky residue in the disposal.

3. Scouring Powder

There are several brands of quality scouring powders that are safe to clean your garbage disposal. Just sprinkle about ½ cup of your favorite brand down the disposal and add a little cold water.

After it has sat for about 15 minutes, run the disposal with some more cold water. The gentle abrasion of the powder will clean the blades, and the ingredients will take away bad smells. If you do not want to use scouring powder, then plain baking soda will do the same thing.

4. Avoidable Objects

avoid-a-garbage-disposal-leakSome foods do not grind up well in a garbage disposal. They can easily cause dull blades, build-up, and clogs. Where there is a build-up, there will be a foul odor. Avoid these things in your garbage disposal:

  • Oils and fats: These can cause fat clogs that would require professional plumbing help.
  • Meats: Cooked or uncooked
  • Stringy vegetables and fruits, such as celery, onions, rhubarb, corn husks, and banana peels. The strings get all wrapped around the blades and can burn out the motor. Plus, the build-up on the blades causes odor.
  • Egg shells

5. Bottle Brush

Use a little dishwashing liquid and a bottle brush to scrub out your disposal. Make sure the disposal is turned off. NEVER stick your fingers in a garbage disposal to clean or dislodge anything.

If you need a professional plumber to fix your garbage disposal, call Anytime Plumbing, Inc in Las Vegas, NV at (702) 362-9300.