Garbage disposals are a modern convenience that makes disposing of food waste a snap. They are attached to the kitchen sink and help to break down food scraps so they can be properly handled with the existing plumbing system rather than accrue in a landfill. However, as convenient as disposals are, it’s easy to neglect them or not clean them properly. Read on for our how-to guide to make your disposal dreams come true!
What You’ll Need
- dish soap
- kitchen sponge (with rough side)
- sink stopper
- 1 lemon
- 1 orange
- 1 lime
- ice cubes
- 1 cup rock salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- measuring cups
Instructions
Method #1: Fantastic Fizz
An easy homemade method for cleaning garbage disposals involves vinegar and baking soda, commonly used household items that should be on hand already.
- Dump 1/2 cup baking soda into garbage disposal.
- Next, slowly add 1/2 cup vinegar. Mixture will fizz and bubble intensely.
- Cover with sink stopper, and wait for fizzing to die down. This should take a few minutes.
- Then, run disposal while flushing with hot water, about 30 seconds.
Method #2: We Will Rock You
This is a quick way to clean your disposal using rock salt, and is especially effective for removing buildup inside.
- Fill disposal with ice cubes. Please note, crushed ice is much less effective so try to stick to cubes.
- Add 1 cup of rock salt. Vinegar can also be used here if rock salt is not available.
- Run disposal for 30 seconds-1 minute with cool water running.
Method #3: Soapy Success
This tried-and-true cleaning option gets down and dirty in your disposal.
- Using dish soap, saturate kitchen sponge with soap and bubbles.
- With abrasive side of sponge, carefully clean the underside of the rubber baffle/entrance into disposal.
- Then, reach your hand in further and scrub the inside of the disposal, especially the top section.
- Important note: be careful not to turn on disposal during this part of cleaning.
- Rinse with warm water.
Bonus: Fresh Is Best
After cleaning with one of the methods above, freshen your disposal with citrus for an aromatic twist.
- Peel citrus of your choice, then cut peels into smaller pieces.
- Once you have a heaping handful, place into disposal with a couple ice cubes.
- Run cool water and disposal for about 15 seconds. The pretty scent should begin wafting up from your disposal.
