How to Clean a Garbage Disposal: Ice, Salt, Citrus and Brush
How to clean a garbage disposal safely: switch it off, scrub the splash guard, grind ice and salt, flush with citrus and soap, and stop the smell coming back.
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How to clean a garbage disposal: switch it off at the wall, scrub the rubber splash guard and the underside of the opening with a brush and dish soap, grind a cup of ice with a little coarse salt, then flush with citrus peel and plenty of cold water. Do it every week or two and the smell stays away.
How to clean a garbage disposal: the quick answer
A garbage disposal does not wash itself. Grease, starch and bits of food coat the chamber walls and the splash guard, rot, and make the whole sink smell. Blades only grind what is in the middle, so the sides and the rubber flaps need scrubbing by hand and a good flush after.
| Quick facts: how to clean a garbage disposal | |
|---|---|
| Time | About 10 minutes |
| You need | Dish soap, a brush or old toothbrush, ice cubes, coarse salt, a lemon or orange |
| How often | Every week or two for a quick clean; monthly for a deeper one |
| Never | Put your hand in the drain, or use bleach with other cleaners |
Step 1: make it safe
Turn the disposal switch off and, if the unit plugs in under the sink, unplug it. Never reach into the chamber, even when you think it is off. Use a flashlight to see what is in there and tongs to lift out any spoons, bones or bottle caps.
Step 2: scrub the splash guard and opening
The rubber splash guard collects slime on its underside. Pull it up and scrub both sides with dish soap and an old toothbrush. Wipe the top rim of the opening. This is where much of the smell lives and where a cycle of ice will never reach.
Step 3: grind ice and salt
- Drop in a cup of ice cubes and a couple of tablespoons of coarse salt.
- Run cold water and switch the disposal on for 20 to 30 seconds.
- Keep the water running for a few seconds afterwards.
The ice knocks off residue from the chamber walls and the salt adds scouring. It does not sharpen blades, which is a common myth.
Step 4: freshen
Cut a lemon or orange into pieces, run it through with cold water and let the peel do its job. A teaspoon of baking soda followed by a splash of white vinegar makes a foam that loosens film. Rinse it all with cold water. Do not combine this with bleach or drain cleaner.
A simple schedule
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Run cold water for 15 seconds after each use | Every use |
| Quick ice and citrus clean | Weekly |
| Scrub splash guard with soap | Every two weeks |
| Check for leaks under the sink | Monthly |
What not to put down it
Grease and oil harden and coat the walls. Bones, fruit pits, corn husks and fibrous vegetables such as celery tangle blades. Starchy foods such as rice, pasta and potato peels turn to paste. Coffee grounds in large amounts clump. Keep them out and cleaning gets much easier.
Things that make smells worse
Hot water melts grease, which then re-solidifies further down the pipe, so use cold water while grinding. Letting food waste sit for days is another culprit. Chemical drain cleaners can corrode the disposal and splash onto skin. Using too little water leaves waste stuck in the line.
If the smell is not the disposal
A drain smell that stays after cleaning may come from a dry trap, a clogged line or the dishwasher drain hose that connects to the disposal. Pour water down unused drains to refill their traps and check the dishwasher hose for a loop. If you can smell sewage, call a plumber.
When to call a professional
If the unit leaks, hums without turning, trips its reset button or the sink drains slowly even after cleaning, a plumber can check the motor, seals and drain line. Knowing how to clean a garbage disposal on a schedule prevents most of those call-outs.
Related reading
- How to Get Rid of Garbage Disposal Smell: 6 Fixes That Work
- Garbage Disposal Not Working? Reset, Unjam and Test It
- How to Reset a Garbage Disposal: Button, Hex Key and Power
- How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink: Plunger, Trap and Snake
Browse all plumbing guides, or find a plumber in your city from the plumbing directory.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my garbage disposal?
A quick clean with ice and citrus every week or two keeps odors down, and scrubbing the splash guard with soap every couple of weeks removes the slime. Run cold water for 15 seconds after each use.
How do I clean a garbage disposal with baking soda and vinegar?
Switch the unit off, pour about a half cup of baking soda into the drain, add a half cup of white vinegar, let it fizz for a few minutes, then flush with cold water. Do not mix it with bleach or drain cleaner.
Does ice and salt clean a garbage disposal?
Yes. A cup of ice with a couple of tablespoons of coarse salt, ground with cold water for 20 to 30 seconds, scours residue off the chamber walls. It does not sharpen the blades, though.
Can I use bleach to clean my garbage disposal?
Avoid it. Bleach can corrode parts, irritate skin and release dangerous fumes if it meets vinegar or other cleaners. Dish soap, ice, salt and citrus clean well and are safer.
How to clean a garbage disposal splash guard?
Pull the rubber guard up, scrub both sides with an old toothbrush and dish soap, rinse and wipe the rim. Most of the smell comes from slime on the underside, which grinding alone does not remove.
Why does my garbage disposal still smell after cleaning?
The smell may come from the dishwasher hose, a dry or dirty trap or grease further down the drain line. Clean the splash guard, flush with cold water, refill unused traps and check the hose for a low loop.
Should I use hot or cold water when running a garbage disposal?
Cold. Cold water keeps grease solid so the blades can chop it and flush it away, while hot water melts it so it can re-harden further down the pipe and cause a clog.
Is it safe to put my hand in the garbage disposal to clean it?
Never. Blades and debris can injure you, and the unit could be switched on by mistake. Use a brush on a handle, tongs and a flashlight, and keep the switch off and the plug pulled.
What foods should I never put in a garbage disposal?
Grease and oil, bones, fruit pits, corn husks, fibrous vegetables, and large amounts of starchy food such as rice, pasta or potato peels. They coat, tangle or turn to paste and cause smells and clogs.
When should I call a plumber about my garbage disposal?
Call if it leaks, hums and will not spin after clearing a jam, keeps tripping the reset button, or the drain stays slow after cleaning. A plumber can repair or replace the unit and check the line.
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