How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal in 6 Steps

Follow these steps to keep your garbage disposal clean and fresh as a daisy

Photo: Mariakray / Adobe Stock
Photo: Mariakray / Adobe Stock
C.E. Larusso
Written by C.E. Larusso
Contributing Writer
Updated Aug 25, 2022
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.

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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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Keep Up With Routine Maintenance

    A man installing garbage disposal
    Photo: Bill Oxford / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

    When 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

A small amount of diluted bleach is okay to pour down a garbage disposal. As part of your weekly garbage disposal maintenance, use 1 teaspoon of bleach with your concoction of ice cubes and lemon peels. Turn on the disposal and run the water until the blades chop up the ice cubes.

Any more bleach in your disposal can harden oils and greases in your drain, which can cause problems. Always wear gloves when working with bleach, and know that you really don’t need bleach at all—vinegar, baking soda, salt, and ice should do the trick.

Plan on deep cleaning the garbage disposal weekly with a maintenance run of ice cubes and lemon peels. Make it a regular part of your kitchen cleaning checklist.

It’s one thing that helps, alongside vinegar and baking soda. Ice acts as an exfoliant, helping to lift off any bits of food stuck on the disposal blades.

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Learn more about our contributor
C.E. Larusso
Written by C.E. Larusso
Contributing Writer
A professional content writer, C.E. has written about all things home, family, and wellness for a variety of publications, including HomeLight, Noodle, and Mimi. A third-generation Los Angeleno, she is always looking for ways to make the most of the sun, whether it be building an urban garden or decorating with the help of some low-maintenance, air-purifying plants.

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