How Do I Clean a Garbage Disposal?

If used properly, a garbage disposal is its own best cleaner. Every so often, though, it’s good to rinse it to get rid of any lingering debris. Fill the sink with two or three inches of cold water and then turn on the disposal. Then, run a few citrus peels or ice cubes through the disposal to help eliminate any lingering food odors.  more

There are several techniques which can be used to clean a garbage disposal and to keep odors at bay. It is a good idea to clean a garbage disposal at least once a month, to prevent odor-causing buildup. If a garbage disposal has become especially smelly, some additional work may be needed to address the odor and get the disposal smelling fresh and clean again. The best way to routinely clean a garbage disposal is to dump some baking soda into the disposal, and to follow with vinegar. If possible, the disposal should be capped for five or ten minutes to allow the baking soda and vinegar to do their work. Then, boiling water can be poured into the disposal to flush it out. This technique does not require turning the disposal on, and it can also be used to unblock a clogged disposal. Some people prefer to use commercial garbage disposal cleaners to routinely clean a garbage disposal, which certainly works. It is also possible to use a bleach solution to freshen a garbage disposal. ...  more