How to Deodorize Your Garbage Disposal

Do you ever walk into your kitchen and gasp the smell confronting you, and then wonder where it’s coming from? Well, if it’s coming from Your Garbage Disposal , it won’t take long to make that discovery.

While garbage disposals are helpful in disposing of food waste, they often get stinky if not cleaned on a regular basis. Leftover food particles, bacteria, and mildew can all mix together to create a truly offensive smell.

So, before you resort to wearing clothes pins on your nose, take these steps to clean and deodorize that trusty little appliance:

1. With the disposal turned off and the drain stopper in place, partially fill the sink with hot water and mix in a couple tablespoons of a grease-cutting dish liquid. Remove the stopper, turn the disposal on for 15 seconds, and flush with hot water for an additional 30 seconds.
2. Use an old toothbrush and warm, soapy water to thoroughly clean as much of your disposal as possible. As a safety precaution, shut off the power supply to your unit at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box. Lift up and scrub each rubber catch flap.
3. Place about five ice cubes ino the disposal and pour in half a cup of vinegar at the same time. Run cold water and turn on the disposal until all the ice cubes have been dissolved and crunched. Or, you can fill an ice cube tray with equal parts vinegar and water and freeze. Just make sure you label the tray so other family members can be cautiously reminded of its make-up.
4. Once you’re done cleaning, you can keep your garbage disposal odor free by slicing half a lemon into 4 or 5 pieces, and placing the pieces in the disposal. Run cold water down the drain, turn the disposal on, and keep the water running for at least 45 seconds until the lemon has been completely shredded and disposed of.

If the problem with your garbage disposal is with its performance and not the way it smells, Norhio Plumbing is on hand to make the necessary repair or, if necessary, replace your unit for a new and more efficient model. Norhio Plumbing: your local team of plumbing pros.