Tips for prevention of odors in garbage disposal:
- Never leave food in the disposal. If you leave it sitting too long, the old food will be decomposing while sitting in the disposal.
- Do not over fill the disposal. Too much garbage at one time can clog the mechanism and cause fragments to be left behind.
- Do NOT put grease down the disposal because the grease and the odors will coat every surface.
- Always let plenty of HOT water run when you run the disposal.
- Set a weekly or monthly schedule to clean the disposal. See below.
Things to buy for garbage disposal cleaning:
- A Sharpie ™ marker for waterproof marking.
- A toilet brush - When you get it home, write on it with a Sharpie ™ waterproof marker, "Garbage Disposal Only" and keep it under the kitchen sink, not in the bathroom. Do not use a brush that's been used in the toilet for any other task except the toilet. Use the garbage disposal brush ONLY in the disposal.
- A baby bottle brush - Again, mark it for Disposal Only.
- Three 1 pound boxes of baking soda. Look in the baking aisle for this.
- At least 2 cups (about 2 trays) of ice cubes. OR ask for a large cup of ice at any fast food eatery.
Alternate shopping list:
- baking soda and vinegar
- ice chips and 1 lemon or 1 orange
Prior to doing the cleaning:
- NEVER put your fingers or hands into a garbage disposal.
- Find the disposal "key" and have it nearby in case the mechanism clogs.
- If a double basin, empty both sides of the sink. Remember, debris often comes up into the other sink.
- Do NOT plug either sink.
- Make sure you have a clean bucket. Fill it half full with HOT water.
- Turn OFF the switch to the disposal. It helps to put a piece of tape on the switch as a reminder to not turn it on, except at certain steps.
- Use ice chips or break apart ice cubes with a hammer -- cover cubes inside a towel before hand to protect and keep ice chips from flying everywhere.
Doing the cleaning - NOTE: Pick only ONE method to do. You can try another method in a week or so.
- Dump 1/4 cup of ice followed by 1/4 pound of baking soda directly into the disposal.
- Turn on the disposal and let it chew up the ice. Let it run until you can hear that most of the biggest pieces are gone.
- Turn off the disposal and re-tape the switch.
- Dump the 1/2 bucket of HOT water directly down the disposal drain. Water from the faucet does not have the same force as using a bucket.
- Using either brush, insert just above and below the flaps and twirl it around. You should see black yuck and old food particles on the brush. Remove the brush and lay it on paper towels until after the tasks are finished.
- Now flush again with 1/4 to 1/2 bucket of HOT water.
- Finish by putting 1/4 cup and 1/4 pound of baking soda into the disposal and again run it. Flush again with HOT water.
- NOTE: Any leftover ice in the disposal will just melt.
Alternate method 1:
- Cut lemons or Oranges into thin wedges, then cut the wedges in half.
- Use ice cubes or ice chips with lemons OR oranges.
- Run disposal
- Repeat steps with water
- You'll need to grind the lemons more than just the plain ice.
Alternate method 2:
- Use ice cubes or ice chips
- Pour in 1/2 cup baking soda
- Slowly add White Vinegar until it begins to foam
- Run disposal
- Pour in HOT water.
Alternate method 3 and 4:
- Buy a cleaner made specifically for garbage disposals and use it as directed.
- Call the manufacturer for other ideas.
IF THE DISPOSAL BACK FLOWS OR WILL NOT DRAIN
Follow manufacturer's directions to insert the key into the Unit (under sink) to dislodge any clogs.
Remember, NEVER put fingers, hands, or forearm into a garbage disposal. Even when off the blades are sharp. ALWAYSmake sure the switch is completely OFF and tape the wall switch into the OFF position as a reminder to not turn it on. Keep children AWAY from the area while you are working.
To clean a 'new toilet bowl' brush that you marked "For Disposal ONLY", fill a bucket in the bathtub with HOT water and a touch of dish soap. Twirl the dirty brush around in the water until all the scum is off. Wrap it in paper towels to dry the brush. Keep this brush separate, stored under the kitchen sink.
