It is important to clean your garbage disposal, as you could prevent gross odors and keep the sink draining properly. When the sink starts to give off a rotten smell, it is time to give those drains and disposal a good cleaning.
When the sink starts to give off a rotten smell, it is time to give those drains and disposal a good cleaning.
How often should you clean the garbage disposal?
Usually, the disposal system does a good job of cleaning itself, since it breaks up the food and sends it down the drain. This means that the disposal chamber stays fairly clean. However, a slime tends to appear on the areas that aren’t scrubbed by the actions of the disposal over time.
In order to keep your garbage disposal squeaky clean and free of gross smells, it is advised that you clean it once a week. However, if you monitor what you are putting down it then you can clean it every other week.
How do I clean my garbage disposal?
It is fairly easy to clean your disposable using just an abrasive kitchen sponge and some dish soap. Follow the steps below to see how to do this.
- Turn the disposal power off.
This is to avoid accidentally turning on the disposal while you are cleaning it. You can do this by unplugging it from the outlet under the sink, or by turning off the breaker in the breaker box that powers the disposal.
- Clean the rubber baffle at the drain opening.
To do this, you are going to apply normal dish soap to a rough sponge and scrub thoroughly underneath the baffle. Make sure you get all of the creases and folds. You should also wash the sponge often to get all the gunk off of it.
- Clean the smooth area at the top of the grinding chamber.
Use the sponge to clean around the smooth area at the top of the grinding chamber. Once again, make sure you’re washing the sponge frequently. Do this until no more gunk comes up.
These three simple steps will have your garbage disposal in great shape. If you want, you can take it a bit further and freshen the drainpipe and disposal. To do this, try one of these cleaning tricks:
Clean the disposal using vinegar and baking soda
- Pour baking soda and vinegar down the disposal.
You are going to want to pour ½ cup of baking soda down the disposal first. Then carefully pour ½ cup of vinegar down.
- Use the sink stopper to cover the drain.
This will trap the fizzing mixture inside the disposal. Let it sit like that for a few minutes.
- Use hot water to flush the disposal.
Flush the disposal by running it while you have the hot water going. If necessary, you can repeat the process.
Clean the disposal using ice with vinegar or rock salt
- Fill the disposal with ice cubes.
- Add salt or vinegar.
Pour one cup of either salt or vinegar into the disposal with the ice.
- Flush the garbage disposal.
To do this, you will run the disposal with the water also running so it grinds up the ice. Make sure it is on for several seconds. You can repeat this process if necessary.
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