subject: Howto Eliminate Garbage Disposal Odors [print this page] A garbage disposal is a convenient appliance, but it can also be a smelly one--especially when trapped, and now rotting, food or bacteria has accumulated inside. Luckily, it's a simple task to remove the odors. No hardcore plumbing required! Try putting the following items and/or solutions down the drain, and remember to always run cold water when the garbage disposal is turned on. (You may also want to check with the manufacturer to make sure none of these will adversely affect the appliance.)
Start with some citrus. It's an easy and cheap way to overcome the unwanted odors. Cut up a lemon of any size into small sections. Turn on the disposal (and water), and toss the pieces in. You can also try this with a lime or orange. Any citrus scent will help eliminate the unpleasant stench.
Look no further than your freezer. Oddly enough, ice cubes also work to remove bad smells. Simply drop a few of them down the sink with the disposal turned on. A bonus: ice cubes sharpen the disposal blades, so you can kill two birds with one stone.
Try some natural cleaners. Vinegar can be used to clean just about anything. Distill some white wine vinegar and pour about a half a cup into the garbage disposal while running cold water. If the sink is really bad, and you need some extra oomph, start with a cup of dry baking soda, then add a cup of the distilled white wine vinegar. While the vinegar will get rid of the nasty odors, you may not like that particular smell either. Follow with some citrus for a more pleasant scent.
Use bleach or a commercial cleaner. Bleach will free up food particles as well as kill the smell. Use a mild or slightly fragrant bleach. As always, run cold water. You can also find products at a home improvement store especially tailored to clean drains. Consult your owner's manual first to make sure the product won't damage your disposal.
Finally, clean the lid and disposal unit. Use soap, water, and a dish or wire brush to clean the disposal lid and inside the unit itself. Unplug the disposal first before putting anything (like your hand!) inside of it.
Follow these guidelines whenever your kitchen is starting to smell or even if you've washed some particularly strong foods down the drain. Be your own handyman, and keep your garbage disposal smelling clean and fresh.
