There are few things as unpleasant as an unidentified foul odor. You want to know the cause, but, then again, maybe not. In the case of a smelly garbage disposal, the good news is, the culprit is probably not too bad. Whether it’s a build-up of grease, or something that shouldn’t have gone through the disposal in the first place, you can get rid of the source and deodorize a garbage disposal to like-new condition.
Why does the garbage disposal smell bad?
There are many causes of a smelly garbage disposal. Whenever you grind up food in the disposal, blades work to cut it up into small pieces. Sometimes, food gets trapped in the crevices between or beneath the blades, causing a nasty smell. Another source of garbage disposal odor can be a heavy build-up of animal fat and grease. And sometimes, the source is not the garbage disposal at all, but from the drain line connected to the disposal (more on this later).
Prevent a smelly garbage disposal
Certain food items should never be put down the garbage disposal. They may be difficult to grind up, resulting in food particles remaining in place for long periods of time. Avoid putting the following items into the disposal:
Grease – Avoid placing oil, grease, or other animal fats down the drain. They can harden inside the drain and cling to the blades of the garbage disposal. Once they harden, they can cause a very unpleasant odor that can be difficult to get rid of.
Stringy food – Any stringy food item, such as celery, raw pumpkin, corn husks, and so on, can get tangled inside the blades of the disposal. Not only can this cause a foul odor over time, but it can also keep the unit from operating efficiently.
Bones – Small bones from fish or chicken may seem harmless enough, but they should never be put inside a garbage disposal. They can be difficult to grind up and end up sitting at the bottom of the unit, causing a very smelly garbage disposal.
Egg shells – For the most part, when an egg shell goes into the disposal, the majority of it ends up sitting at the bottom. We all know how horrible eggs, even fresh ones, can smell. Avoid this smelly situation by throwing them in the trash instead.
How to clean the disposal
You wouldn’t use a household appliance without cleaning it, therefore, the disposal should be regularly cleaned as well. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the power connected to the disposal.
2. Wearing rubber gloves, place your hand inside the unit and remove any food particles.
3. Run hot water down the drain to clear out any debris.
4. Combine white vinegar and baking soda until a paste forms.
5. Dip an old toothbrush into the paste and scrub the blades of the disposal. Repeat until the paste is gone.
6. Allow the mixture to soak inside the disposal for 5 – 10 minutes.
7. Run hot water down the drain for 2 – 3 minutes.
Clean the drain line
As mentioned earlier, your garbage disposal odor may not be coming from the disposal itself. It may be coming in from the drain line. So, after you’ve cleaned the disposal, you’ll want to very quickly purge the line. To do this, plug the sink drain and fill the basin with a few inches of water. Remove the plug while turning on the disposal. The water will get pulled through the drain line, freeing it of any build-up or debris.
How to deodorize a garbage disposal
Finally, you can eliminate garbage disposal odor by keeping the unit deodorized. This can be done by many different methods. Here are a two of our favorites:
1. Pour ¼ cup of Borax in the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Run water down the drain with the disposal on.
2. With the water running, toss a few small slices of oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruits down the drain. Leave the rind on but remove any seeds.
More from Jennifer Wagner:
Kitchen Safety Tips
Selecting a Kitchen Sink
What Causing Your Musty Basement Odor?
Source:
Personal knowledge