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Garbage disposals are a great way to eliminate food waste but can sometimes produce an unpleasant smell. If your garbage disposal smells bad, don’t worry – we’re here to help!
In this blog post, we will discuss how to get rid of garbage disposal smell using natural and chemical-free methods.
Why Does Garbage Disposal Smell?

Trash compactors are useful for breaking down food waste so it may be disposed of via the sink. This procedure might produce an unpleasant odor and linger in your kitchen over time. This smell is usually caused by decaying food fragments that have escaped the milling process and become trapped inside the device.
Filters should be cleaned regularly to prevent the build-up of particles and thus avoid clogs. Clogged drains allow mold or mildew to grow, causing the odor to seem much worse as it will enable mold or mildew to develop and create their own smells.
How to Get Rid of Garbage Disposal Smell: 6 Best Ways
There are various methods to clean the garbage disposal and eliminate noxious odors. We have six choices, so try another if one doesn’t work.
1. Use a Commercial Cleaner
You can purchase a commercial garbage disposal cleaner to avoid using harsh chemicals. These are designed to clean and deodorize your disposal without damaging the blades.
Use BioWonder as a deodorizer. It targets odors and clogs your garbage disposal, ensuring that it works efficiently and smells fresh. The Plink Freshener and Cleaner are other great choices. Plumbers create these to eliminate unpleasant scents from your garbage disposal. They break down fatty deposits and food particles to completely remove the source of foul odors.
Buy BioWonder to get rid of the garbage smell:
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2. Brush Out the Unit
Use a stiff brush like an old toothbrush to reach the small spaces in your garbage disposal. This will help to remove any food particles or grease that may be causing the bad smell.
3. Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar is a great option if you’re looking for a natural way to clean your garbage disposal. The baking soda will act as a gentle abrasive to remove any build-up on the blades, while the vinegar will help to kill any mold or bacteria that may be causing the bad smell.
Mix equal parts of baking soda and vinegar in a bowl to use this method. Then, pour the mixture down your drain and turn on the garbage disposal.
Let it run for a few minutes before turning off the water and letting it sit for another 15 minutes. Finally, turn on the water again and run the garbage disposal until all the mixtures have been flushed.
4. Ice Cubes
Put ice cubes in your garbage disposal to chill out. Please fill up the garbage disposal with ice and turn it on. Keep it on until all of the ice has been ground up. This may help remove odors and build-up while also sharpening the blades so that they can grind food more effectively in the future.
5. Chuck in Some Citrus
Cut some citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, oranges, or grapefruits. This should be placed in your garbage disposal and switched on. Not only will this give your kitchen a lovely smell, but it can also destroy or absorb unpleasant odors at your disposal.
To maintain a clean home, we recommend performing this every few days or once a week to keep unwanted smells at bay.
6. Kosher Salt
Kosher salt is a great way to clean your garbage disposal and get rid of bad smells. It’s also very cheap and easy to find in the supermarket. To use kosher salt:
- Pour half a cup into the garbage disposal and turn it on.
- Let it run for a few minutes before turning off the water and letting it sit for another 15 minutes.
- Turn on the water again and run the garbage disposal until all the salt has been flushed.
Tips to Prevent Garbage Disposal Smells
In addition to the methods above, you can follow some general tips to keep your garbage disposal clean and free of bad smells.
- Run cold water through the garbage disposal for 30 seconds before and after using it. This will help to remove any food particles that may be stuck to the blades and prevent them from decaying.
- Avoid putting coffee grounds, eggshells, meat, bones, or grease down the drain as these can clog up the garbage disposal.
- Clean out your sink’s trap (the U-shaped pipe under your sink) at least once a month to prevent build-up and odors.
- Pour baking soda down the drain once a week to absorb odors. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to the baking soda for a fresh scent.
- Place a cup of white vinegar in the freezer and let it sit overnight. In the morning, grind up the ice cubes in the garbage disposal to clean and sharpen the blades.
Conclusion
Bad smells coming from your garbage disposal can be a sign of build-up or bacteria. However, you can use these simple methods to clean it and get rid of the bad smell. We hope this guide helped to teach you how to eliminate the garbage disposal smell.
FAQs
How often should I clean my garbage disposal?
We recommend cleaning your garbage disposal weekly to prevent build-up and odors. However, if you notice that the smell is particularly bad, you may need to clean it more often.
Will bleach damage my garbage disposal?
Yes, bleach can damage your garbage disposal, so we don’t recommend using it to clean it. Stick to natural methods like baking soda, vinegar, citrus fruits, or kosher salt.
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