Garbage disposal repair costs depend on the specific issue, but you can save money if you DIY. Read on to learn which problems you can fix yourself and which require a professional.
How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal in 6 Steps
Follow these steps to keep your garbage disposal clean and fresh as a daisy
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Your garbage disposal splash guard traps food particles and odors in its rubber flaps, and scrubbing it with soapy water removes stuck-on gunk and slime.
Expect to pay $150 to $950 for a new garbage disposal if deep cleaning and maintenance no longer eliminate odors or restore proper function.
You can refresh your disposal weekly by grinding ice cubes with lemon or orange peels, which sharpens the blades and leaves a fresh citrus scent.
Hiring a local plumbing professional provides reliable help with stubborn clogs and old units, keeping your kitchen running smoothly when DIY methods fall short.
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
COMPLETION TIME
1 hour
COST
$10–$25
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Flashlight
- Needle-nose pliers
- Small scrub brush
SUPPLIES
- Dish soap
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Ice cubes
- Lemon peels
Your garbage disposal kindly obliterates kitchen scraps, forgotten leftovers, and everything else you no longer want to see (or smell). Knowing how to clean your garbage disposal will go a long way toward battling gunk and grime that builds up over time. Give your hardworking disposal the TLC it deserves with this simple procedure.
Prepping to Clean Your Garbage Disposal
First thing’s first: unplug your garbage disposal before attempting any manual cleaning. The last thing you want is for the disposal to activate while you’re knuckle-deep under the splash guard. If you can’t locate the plug, head to your breaker box and cut off the circuit your disposal is on. Always flip on the switch for a test run before starting the cleaning process.
Scrub Your Splash Guard With Soapy Water
Your splash guard, also called a baffle or gasket, consists of soft rubber flaps at the top of the disposal. While highly effective at keeping out stray silverware and anything else that shouldn’t go down the disposal, its crevices can trap icky waste particles and gag-inducing odors. Scrub it vigorously with a scrub brush and some soapy water (or an old toothbrush in a pinch).
Be sure to get the underside of the flaps to free stuck-on slime and gunk. If there’s still debris on the baffle, try mixing a paste with water and some baking soda, applying it to an old toothbrush, and scrubbing away the dirt.
Remove Any Objects or Debris
Shine your flashlight into the disposal and see if you can spot small objects or leftover debris. Use needle-nose pliers or tongs to pull out anything you see. Check for items that should never go down the garbage disposal like eggshells or pieces of trash.
Note: Never stick your hand into the disposal, even if it’s unplugged. While it’s not going to make mincemeat out of your unsuspecting digits, it could still cut you pretty bad.
Add Baking Soda
Yet again, cleaning with baking soda and vinegar comes to the rescue. Take about 1/2 cup of baking soda and pour it down the garbage disposal. Let that sit for about 30 to 45 minutes to neutralize tough odors.
Pour Vinegar Into the Garbage Disposal
Once you’ve let the baking soda sit for a while, pour 1 cup of vinegar in. Just like those DIY volcanoes from your school’s science fair, the mixture will froth and bubble up. Aside from being entertaining, this will help loosen up any stubborn residue. After a few minutes of letting the vinegar work its magic, pour some hot water down the disposal.
If you prefer, use a commercial garbage disposal cleaner instead of baking soda and vinegar.
Grind Some Ice and Salt
Reconnect the power to your garbage disposal and pour 2 cups of ice into it. Follow this with 1 cup of salt. Run cold water over the disposal, turn it on, and let it run until the ice has been completely ground up—this will clean and sharpen the blades.
Keep Up With Routine Maintenance
Photo: Bill Oxford / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesWhen you’re not doing deep cleanings, you can do a weekly refresh by following the last step (tossing a few ice cubes down the garbage disposal) with the addition of some lemon or orange peels. Keep the cold water running and let your disposal go to town. The ice will help keep the blades sharp, while the citrus peel will leave behind a fresh aroma.
When to Replace a Garbage Disposal
If you’ve done all you can and your disposal still smells like something crawled down there and died, it might be time to front the cost of a new garbage disposal, which ranges between $150 and $950.
Deciding between repairing or replacing a garbage disposal can be a tough call, but replacement usually makes the most sense for old units and deep clogs. Get in touch with a plumber near you or a local handyperson to get things up and running again.
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Appliance repairs reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
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Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
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