Garbage Disposal is one of the handiest things in the kitchen that makes your dishwashing like a breeze.
You do not have to worry about throwing the leftover food into the can separately, as your efficient garbage disposal can crush it all.
However, sometimes a stinky odor starts coming from the disposals making your kitchen stink.
Mostly, the grease and leftover food build up at your disposal, making it smell terrible.
There are several ways to make your garbage disposal smell fresh.
Most commonly, ice cubes and baking soda are used for cleaning purposes.
If these remedies don’t work, you can opt for other things like:
- Bleach
- Borax
- Citrus Fruits
Are you eager to learn more about easy DIY ways to eliminate the smell? This article will educate you about practical ways to make your garbage disposal smell fresh again.
10 Ways To Get Rid of Garbage Disposal Smell
The best way to avoid smelly garbage disposal is to carefully look at the waste you are throwing in the disposal.
Oily and starchy food gets easily tangled in the disposal blades resulting in a foul smell.
1. Try the Solution of Baking Soda and Vinegar
The safest and easiest way to make the smell from your garbage disposal disappear.
Add 1/4 cup baking soda, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Baking soda is a mild alkali that quickly helps get dirt and grease off the surfaces.
Vinegar is an acid, while baking soda is a base; they form a reaction that acts as a cleaning agent.
Let the solution bubble up for a while, then run water into the garbage disposal to clean it properly.
2. Borax Solution
Borax is a mixture of boron, sodium, and oxygen with a 9.5pH level making it slightly alkaline.
It acts as an efficient cleaning agent when diluted in water.
You can pour half a cup of borax diluted with water in the garbage disposal once a week to keep it smelling fresh.
3. Bleach
Bleach is a common cleaning agent that can help make your garbage disposal smell fresh again.
Make sure you dilute it with water, so it doesn’t damage the appliance.
Bleach contains chemicals called oxidizing agents that oxidize dirt and germs, making it come off quickly.
Dilute a small amount of bleach in water, pour it into your sink and instantly see results.
You can also use thick bleach with a gelling agent and a brush to scrub off the dirt, causing a foul smell.
Some foods like meat, oils and fats, egg shells, and stringy veggies do not grind well in the disposal.
It is better to avoid throwing them in as they can clog and cause a bad smell.
4. Citrus Fruits
The acids in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges can be cleaning agents. The acid attacks the dirt and helps it clean quickly.
Another advantage of using citrus fruits is they make your disposal smell fresh. You can toss some orange or lemon peels into the disposal and let it do the job.
Furthermore, you can also add their juice to the garbage disposal.
5. Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash contains odor-inhibiting agents like zinc, ketone, and terpene that help keep your mouth refreshed for a long time.
But mouthwash is not only suitable for that; you can also use it to keep your garbage disposal smell refreshing.
The essential oils in the mouthwash help kill germs and make your disposal smell nice.
6. Ice Cubes
It is one of the most cost-effective ways to clean your garbage disposal and make it smell good.
Just toss some ice cubes in the disposal while it is turned on. The ice will help clean the food residue and grease.
Moreover, it will also keep the blades sharp and as good as new.
You can also add salt to the ice to make the remedy more effective.
7. Basil
Basil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help eliminate odor-causing bacteria and fungus from the garbage disposal.
You can add a bit of basil, let your disposal crumble it down, and let it rest overnight. The foul smell will drastically go away.
8. Cleaning Products
Several cleaning products can do the job if you cannot find any home remedy helpful.
The products consist of odor-eliminating and cleaning agents that instantly make your disposal smell fresh.
Just follow the product’s instructions for the best results.
9. Clean the Splash Guard
Garbage disposal has a splash guard that prevents food from splashing when the disposal is turned on.
It means the splash guards can also stink due to the residue and grease from the food.
Fortunately, you can easily remove most parts of the disposal and clean them using a brush and a dishwashing liquid.
It is advisable to clean the splatter guard of your garbage disposal every week to prevent residue buildup from resulting in a foul smell.
10. Get Professional Help
If your garbage disposal still stinks after doing home remedies, it is time to seek professional help. You can call a plumber to find the issue.
Sometimes gases from the sewer lines come out of the disposal, usually due to a lack of water in the U- trap.
Your plumber can check the water level in the U-trap and fix the connection of the pipe to ensure it is safe and protected from the sewer lines.
Takeaway
Garbage disposal is a must-have in every kitchen, but food leftovers and grease buildup can cause it to smell.
If you do not clean the disposal after a while, this smell can grow to make your whole kitchen stinky.
Several home remedies include adding baking soda, lemon peels, vinegar, and borax to the disposal to eliminate bad smells.
If nothing works, you must call a professional and seek help to fix your garbage disposal.
