How to Fix a Smelly Garbage Disposal

Have you ever walked into your kitchen and smelled something rotting? You took your trash out, clean the counters, throw out your leftovers, and still can’t figure out where the scent is coming from? It is probably your garbage disposal, and you are not alone! Read on to learn the top DIY ways to get your kitchen smelling fresh again.

Lemons

Not only do they dress up your cocktails, but lemons are also a powerful natural cleaner. After cutting into small sections, toss a few lemon slices into your disposal while running cold water. Not only will your sink smell lemony-fresh, but the citric acid also will break down the slime inside the disposal.

Baking soda and vinegar solution

Two cups of baking soda and a half cup of vinegar create a fizzy reaction that not only is fun to watch but also will rid your disposal of built up dirt and grime. Let this solution sit for an hour, and then run cool water through the disposal to remove remnants.

Clean the disposal

This may seem like an obvious solution, but it is often overlooked. Remove the rubber lid to the disposal and clean the bottom with a hard-bristled brush. It is common for food remnants to be splattered on the underside of the rubber and if not removed, these will cause quite an offensive stench.

Ice cubes and salt

Two cups of cubed ice and one cup of rock salt will create a cleansing effect. Run cold water down the disposal, and toss in the ice and salt mixture. The ice will break off any stuck food remnants and the salt will act as a deodorizer. To add to the benefits of this solution, the ice can actually sharpen the blades of your disposal.

Hot water and dish soap

This may be the easiest of cleaning methods. Boil 4-5 cups of water in a pot. Once the water has reached a boil, add 3-5 tablespoons of dish soap and stir. Once your solution is mixed, pour water and soap down the disposal as it is running. The heat of the water will break down grime while the dish soap freshens and disinfects. Voila!

Wondering the best method to keep odors away? Stop putting things that don’t belong down your disposal! Preventative maintenance and using your trash can to get rid of most food will help your kitchen go scent-free.