How to Clean Garbage Disposal

What You'll Need

• Ice cubes
• Coarse salt or rock salt
• Lemon or lime halves
• Soap-Man Lemon Glow Dish Soap
• Old toothbrush
• Baking soda and vinegar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Clean the splash guard

   Lift each flap of the rubber splash guard and scrub the underside with an old toothbrush and Lemon Glow Dish Soap. This is where most odor-causing grime hides.

2. 2

   Run the ice and salt method

   Pour 2 cups of ice cubes and 1 cup of coarse salt into the disposal. Run cold water and turn on the disposal for 30 seconds. The ice and salt scour the grinding components.

3. 3

   Deodorize with citrus

   Cut a lemon or lime in half and feed both halves through the running disposal with cold water. The citric acid neutralizes odors and leaves a fresh scent.

4. 4

   Deep clean with baking soda and vinegar

   Pour half a cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz for 10 minutes, then flush with hot water.

Pro Tips

• TIPAlways run cold water when using the disposal -- it solidifies grease so the blades can chop it up instead of letting it coat the pipes.
• TIPFreeze vinegar in ice cube trays and grind them in the disposal for a two-in-one cleaning and deodorizing treatment.
• TIPRun the disposal for 10-15 seconds after all food is ground to ensure everything flushes completely through the drain line.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• XPutting your hand inside the disposal to retrieve objects -- always use long tongs or pliers with the power off and unplugged.
• XUsing hot water while grinding, which melts grease and allows it to coat the drain pipe further down where it re-solidifies.
• XGrinding fibrous foods like celery, artichokes, or corn husks, which wrap around the blades and cause jams.

Frequently Asked Questions