The Right Way to Clean Your Garbage Disposal—and Keep the Drain Fresh

One of the most common sources of odor in your kitchen is the garbage disposal. This home appliance is full of nooks and crannies where leftover bits of food and kitchen waste can become lodged, prompting all sorts of unpleasant smells. Fortunately, cleaning your garbage disposal is easier than it seems—and can be done using common household items, like vinegar, baking soda, and lemons.

How Often to Clean Your Garbage Disposal

While it may seem like your garbage disposal cleans itself, considering how much soapy water runs down your drain, it's still important to clean it about once a month, says Jill Koch, expert organizer and cleaner with Jill Comes Clean. This is because small food particles often get stuck and can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

What Not to Use When Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

Avoid using harsh ingredients when cleaning your garbage disposal. "Be careful with some chemical cleaners; using them in the disposal can corrode the metal," says Koch, adding that more often than not, DIY recipes are best.

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand when cleaning your garbage disposal.

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Lemon peels
• Water
• Oxygen bleach
• Ice
• Salt

How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Cleaning your garbage disposal should be a simple, cost-efficient project since most of the ingredients you need are likely already in your pantry, says Richard Coleman, the president of Coleman's A/C Heating & Appliance Repair.

1. Turn off your garbage disposal's electrical source.
2. Sprinkle a 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Let it bubble for about a minute.
3. Flush the drain with hot water.

How to Deodorize Your Garbage Disposal

If your garbage disposal still emits an odor after cleaning with baking soda and vinegar, try one of these deodorizing methods.

Oxygen Bleach

Some food particles and odors can be more stubborn, which is why deeper cleans are often necessary, says Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of AspenClean. Using oxygen bleach will help deodorize the garbage disposal.

1. Turn off your garbage disposal's electrical source.
2. Pour a 1/2 cup of powder bleach down the disposal, followed by a 1/2 cup of hot water.
3. Flush with hot water again.

Lemon Peels

Lemons are a great household cleaner and can be used to freshen your garbage disposal throughout the week, says Coleman.

1. Turn off your garbage disposal's electrical source.
2. Peel a few lemons, or use rinds from lemons you have already juiced.
3. Place them in the garbage disposal and grind them up.
4. Rinse with hot water.
   

How to Clear Clogs

If you have any stubborn clogs, try using ice cubes and salt to clear them. "This combination helps scrub the blades (they are actually more like grinding teeth than blades) and will break up any stuck-on food and debris," says Koch.

1. Pour 1 cup of ice into the disposal and drizzle in some dish soap; add in a 1/2 cup of salt.
2. Run cold water on top, then turn on the disposal. Let it run until it sounds like the ice has cleared.

How to Maintain Your Garbage Disposal

If you want to keep your garbage disposal cleaner for longer, adjust the temperature of your tap water, says Sokolowski. For the best results, only run the appliance while using cold water, since cooler temperatures help solidify most kitchen waste—making it easier for the disposal to grind it up and pass it through the mechanism.