How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal (The Right Way) 🧼🌀

If your kitchen sink has developed an odor that hits you every time you walk by — chances are it’s coming from inside the disposal. 🤢

Food scraps, grease, and bacteria love to hide where the eye can’t see. The good news? Cleaning your garbage disposal is quick, easy, and effective if you know what to do.

This guide will walk you through:

• ✅ What causes that smell in the first place
• 🧽 Step-by-step instructions to deep clean your disposal
• 🍋 Natural deodorizers that actually work
• 🚫 What never to use (seriously — no bleach!)
• 🔁 Maintenance tips to keep it fresh every week

👃 Why Garbage Disposals Get Gross

Disposals aren’t self-cleaning. Bits of food and grease collect under the splash guard, on the blades, and inside the grinding chamber.

Over time, those bits rot and stink. Combine that with warm water and low airflow, and you’ve got a recipe for a very unpleasant sink.

🧰 What You’ll Need

• Baking soda 🥄
• White vinegar 🍶
• Dish soap 🧼
• Ice cubes 🧊
• Lemon or orange peel 🍋
• An old toothbrush 🪥 or small scrub brush
• A sponge or rag
• Gloves (optional)

🧽 Step-by-Step: How to Deep Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Let’s get your disposal back to smelling fresh — fast.

✅ Step 1: Turn Off the Power

Safety first! Flip the disposal switch off, and for extra security, unplug it or switch off the breaker.

✅ Step 2: Clean the Splash Guard

Lift and flip the rubber baffle at the sink opening — this is where the worst grime lives. Use dish soap and your toothbrush to scrub both sides thoroughly.

Rinse with hot water when you’re done.

✅ Step 3: Deodorize with Baking Soda + Vinegar

• Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain
• Follow with 1 cup vinegar
• Let it fizz for 5–10 minutes 🧪
• Rinse with hot water

This combo loosens buildup, kills bacteria, and neutralizes odor.

✅ Step 4: Ice Cube Scrub

Toss a handful of ice cubes into the disposal and run it for 15–30 seconds. You’ll hear some crunching — that’s a good thing!

🧊 Why it works:

• Ice knocks gunk off the grinding chamber and impeller blades
• It helps sharpen and clean without harsh chemicals
• It also pushes any lingering particles down the drain

💡 Optional: Add a tablespoon of rock salt or vinegar for extra scrubbing power.

✅ Step 5: Citrus Rinse

To finish off the clean with a fresh scent:

• Toss in lemon or orange peels 🍋
• Run cold water and turn on the disposal
• Enjoy the citrusy fresh burst!

Citrus oils help break down grease, reduce odor, and leave your sink smelling amazing.

🚫 What NOT to Use to Clean a Garbage Disposal

Cleaning a disposal doesn’t require harsh chemicals — and in fact, some can do more harm than good.

❌ Avoid:

• Bleach – It’s too corrosive and can damage the seals
• Drain cleaners – These are meant for clogs, not regular cleaning
• Boiling water – It can warp PVC pipes or plastic components
• Abrasive powders – They wear down the interior unnecessarily

Stick to natural, non-damaging cleaners — your disposal (and pipes) will thank you.

🔁 Weekly Maintenance Tips

A little upkeep goes a long way. Here’s how to keep your disposal smelling fresh between deep cleans:

• 🧼 Run dish soap and cold water after every use
• 🧽 Scrub the baffle once a week
• 🧊 Ice + citrus clean every 1–2 weeks
• 🌬️ Leave the splash guard open after use to air dry the chamber

Bonus: Run your disposal a few seconds longer than necessary — it clears out residue before it can settle.

🧯 Still Stinks? It Might Be Something Bigger

If your disposal still smells bad after cleaning, or you notice:

• 🦠 Moldy or sewage odors
• 🛠️ Slow draining
• 💧 Leaking under the sink
• 🔌 Odd noises or humming

…it could be time for a professional inspection. It might not be the disposal — it could be your drain line, venting, or even a faulty seal.

Dr. Pipes Plumbing can:

• Inspect your entire kitchen drain system
• Clean and repair garbage disposals
• Replace aging or damaged units
• Fix leaks or bad traps

✅ Conclusion: A Clean Disposal = A Happy Kitchen

It only takes a few minutes to clean your garbage disposal — and the payoff is a fresher kitchen, smoother drains, and fewer unwanted surprises.

Do it regularly, do it naturally, and when in doubt, call the pros.

📞 Need Help Cleaning or Replacing a Disposal?

Call Dr. Pipes Plumbing at 1-877-DRPIPES (1-877-377-4737)

We’re your kitchen plumbing experts — from smelly sinks to sparkling clean disposals. 🧼💧

Dr. Pipes: Fix it fast. Keep it fresh. 👍