Your kitchen’s garbage disposal can collect many bad smells given the amount of food scraps and liquid that pass through it. If you want to keep it smelling fresh, you might be wondering, “What is the best deodorizer for garbage disposal smells?”
Grasshopper Heating & Cooling shares some ways you can clean your garbage disposal and eliminate foul odors. Discover simple methods to get rid of any nasty garbage disposal stench and keep your home smelling clean.
Prevent Smells in the First Place
Why does your garbage disposal stink? You might not think about the food waste you’re sending down the sink but try to be mindful of items that end up in the disposal. As the scraps build up inside, they can form harsh odors that waft throughout the kitchen.
You can use various natural remedies to eliminate smells but the best course of action is to prevent them in the first place. Avoid putting the following items into garbage disposals to keep them from smelling:
- Grease: Pouring grease down the drain not only makes increases the risk of the garbage disposal clogging but also allows different substances to stick. You’ll not only have to deal with a clogged drain but also harsh odors.
- Runny foods: You’ll have to clean your system thoroughly when runny foods like eggs or honey get stuck inside the disposal.
- Small food particles: You might not think that ground coffee beans or other small items would cause a smell, but they contribute to clogs and require a good clean.
Try Baking Soda and Vinegar
What is the best deodorizer for garbage disposals? Experts swear by the proven home remedy of mixing baking soda with white vinegar. All you have to do is pour about a half a cup of baking soda into the kitchen sink drain followed by a half a cup of vinegar.
These basic pantry ingredients form a chemical reaction that will fizz inside your garbage disposal and eliminate existing scraps or particles. Wait a few minutes and then flush out the smell and remaining fizz with hot water.
Utilize Ice With Salt and Vinegar
Cleaning your garbage disposal and getting rid of unwanted odor is as simple as grabbing some ice cubes, rock salt, and vinegar. These household staples are ideal for cleaning debris inside the walls of the disposal so your kitchen doesn’t stink. They combine to scrub any kitchen waste while a hot water rinse completes the process and leaves you with a fresh-smelling sink.
Follow these steps for effective at-home garbage disposal cleaning:
- Place two ice cubes into the drain.
- Put either three tablespoons of rock salt or a cup of vinegar into the garbage disposal.
- Turn on the system and let it operate for a minute.
- Turn off the disposal and then rinse it with warm water.
Manually Scrub the Garbage Disposal
When you run water from your kitchen faucet and can’t escape the smell coming from your garbage disposal, it’s a telltale sign that it’s due for cleaning. But what is the best deodorizer for a garbage disposal? You don’t have to look further than items already inside your kitchen.
Run cold water into the disposal and then start cleaning it with dish soap and a bottle brush. Manual cleaning allows you to get rid of stubborn food particles and the odor that they emit.
Use Deodorizing Citrus Fruits
While ice, baking soda, and rock salt can effectively clean a garbage disposal, many homeowners prefer to use citrus fruits like:
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Limes
- Grapefruit
The acidity of these fruits is powerful enough to cut through lingering bacteria and best of all, you’ll enjoy a wonderful, fresh citrus smell after cleaning. Cut up some of the produce, including the peel, and stick slices of fruit into your garbage disposal. Let the system run for a few seconds as you let some cold water run.
If you don’t have any fruit on hand, you can pour some mouthwash into the disposal and let it run to safely get rid of waste and build-up. Mouthwash is also powerful enough to eliminate bacteria without damaging the equipment.
Enhance Your Kitchen Plumbing With Grasshopper Heating & Cooling
After reading this guide, you no longer have to wonder, “What is the best deodorizer for a garbage disposal?” Everything from baking soda and vinegar to citrus fruits can help freshen up your kitchen sink and keep your garbage disposal clean. For help repairing or installing this vital plumbing fixture, reach out to Grasshopper Heating & Cooling at (518) 545-3271.
