How do you get the smell out of a garbage disposal?

Getting odors out of a garbage disposal is an unpleasant but necessary task. Food particles and waste can build up inside the disposal, causing foul smells. Luckily, there are several methods you can use to clean your disposal and eliminate odors.

Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

One of the best ways to get rid of odors in your garbage disposal is to use baking soda and vinegar. Here’s how:

1. Start by pouring 1⁄2 cup of baking soda down the drain. Baking soda will neutralize odor-causing acids inside the disposal.
2. Next, pour 1 cup of distilled white vinegar down the drain. The vinegar will help break down grease and grime.
3. Let the baking soda and vinegar sit for 5-10 minutes so they have time to react and work on odor removal.
4. Finally, run hot water down the drain for a minute or two to rinse away any loose particles.

You can repeat this process as needed for tough odors. The bubbly reaction from the baking soda and vinegar helps scrub the inside of the disposal. Make sure to run plenty of water after using this method to prevent clogs.

Use Lemon or Orange Rinds

Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges have fresh, strong scents that can overpower bad garbage disposal odors. Here’s how to use them:

1. Rinse a lemon or orange thoroughly and cut into quarters.
2. Toss the citrus quarters into the garbage disposal.
3. Run cold water and turn on the disposal. Let it grind up the fruit for 30 seconds.
4. Turn off the disposal and let the citrus sit for 5 minutes to freshen the drain.
5. Run more cold water for a minute to rinse away pulp and peels.

The citric acid in the fruit will help break down gunk, while the strong citrus smell will mask unpleasant odors. You can repeat this as often as needed when odors return.

Make a Disposal Cleaner with Salt and Ice

For a deep clean, make a homemade disposal freshener by mixing salt, hot water, and ice. Here’s how it works:

1. Add 1⁄2 cup of rock salt to the disposal.
2. With the water running, slowly add a tray of ice cubes to the disposal while it is running.
3. As the ice chips away, the salt will scrub the inside of the disposal.
4. Let the water run for a full minute after the ice has cleared to rinse away any debris.

The salt works as an abrasive cleaner, while the ice helps knock off any stuck-on gunk. Make sure not to use large quantities of salt, as it could damage metal components.

Freshen with Kool-Aid or Tang

An unusual but effective odor absorber is unsweetened drink powder, like Kool-Aid or Tang. Here’s how to use it:

1. Select an unsweetened drink mix in your preferred scent (e.g. lemon, strawberry, orange).
2. Mix 2-3 tablespoons in 1 cup of warm water until dissolved.
3. Pour the flavored water down the drain while running warm tap water.
4. Let sit for 5 minutes before running the disposal and more water.

The citric acid and fruit scents will help neutralize and mask odors. This method adds a fresh, clean scent to freshen up the garbage disposal.

Use Bleach or Disinfectant Cleaners

For stubborn odors or discolored stains, use a disposal-safe bleach or disinfectant cleaner. Some options include:

• Liquid chlorine bleach – Mix 1⁄2 cup bleach into 1 gallon water. Pour down drain and let sit 15 minutes before rinsing.
• Bleach-free disinfectant cleaners – Look for enzyme-based cleaners designed for the garbage disposal.
• Disinfectant powders or tabs – Products like Clorox Disinfecting Drain Foamer can treat odors and buildup.

Make sure to only use small amounts of bleach or disinfectant. Too much can damage the metal parts of the disposal. Thoroughly rinse any cleaner away after use.

Clean with Dish Soap and Hot Water

For routine cleaning and odor prevention, run the disposal with hot water and dish soap. Here’s how:

1. Start with the drain plugged and sink filled halfway with hot water.
2. Add 2-3 tablespoons of liquid dish soap to the water and turn on the disposal.
3. Let it run for 30-60 seconds to circulate the soapy water.
4. Unplug the drain and run the disposal to rinse away soap and particles.

The heat helps dissolve grease, while the soap breaks up grime. This simple method can remove odors and prevent future bad smells.

Grind Up Citrus Peels

Along with citrus quarters, grinding up citrus peels can also help with disposal odors. Try this next time you peel an orange, lemon, lime, etc:

1. Collect citrus peels after juicing or using the fruit.
2. Run peels through the disposal while running water.
3. Let grind for 30 seconds to release the oils.
4. Turn off disposal and let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing away pulp.

The peels add a fresh citrus scent while also cleaning the grinding blades. Just take care to remove any large seeds first.

Use Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is excellent at trapping odors. To use it for your disposal:

1. Buy activated charcoal pellets or powder at the store.
2. Measure 1⁄4 cup charcoal and pour down drain.
3. Let sit for 15-30 minutes so the charcoal can absorb odors.
4. Run disposal and water to rinse charcoal away.

Charcoal is non-abrasive, so it won’t damage the disposal. It’s best for neutralizing smells rather than removing grime buildup.

Clean regularly

Preventing future odors means cleaning the disposal regularly. Follow these tips:

• Run water before and after grinding to rinse away waste particles.
• Grind citrus peels once a week to scrub and freshen the drain.
• Use baking soda once a month to prevent buildup.
• Avoid grinding large amounts of egg shells, coffee grounds, or fibrous waste.

Regular cleaning will keep odors at bay and extend the life of your disposal. Act quickly when you notice bad smells starting to develop.

When to Call a Plumber

If you’ve tried these methods and odors still persist, the issue may require professional help. Call a plumber if:

• Odors are very foul or long-lasting despite cleaning attempts
• You see leaking from the base of the unit
• The disposal hums but won’t turn on
• There are unusual noises when running the disposal

A plumber can inspect the disposal, remove built-up waste, and check for issues like cracked parts or jammed impellers. Avoid using harsh chemicals, which could worsen any damage.

Conclusion

Unwanted garbage disposal odors can be annoying and hard to eliminate. Luckily, with some simple cleaning methods like baking soda, vinegar, citrus fruits, and disinfectants, you can safely remove smells and keep future odors at bay. Pay attention to any strange noises or leaks coming from the unit. Call for professional help if basic DIY treatments don’t solve the problem. With regular care and cleaning, your disposal can stay fresh and odor-free.