You're allowed to raise a stink about a foul-smelling disposal
Food debris and grease buildup on your garbage disposal's splash guard, blades, and drain pipes create lingering odors that need regular cleaning.
Your garbage disposal's P-trap can collect food particles and grease that cause bad smells, and you can inspect it by placing a bucket underneath and unscrewing the curved pipe.
Deodorizing a garbage disposal with baking soda and vinegar neutralizes grease buildup, or you can run ice, salt, and lemon wedges through the blades to clear debris.
Hiring a local garbage disposal repair professional provides reliable help when dull blades or a failing motor leave food particles behind, keeping your kitchen fresh.
It's nearly impossible to feel like you have a squeaky-clean kitchen when your garbage disposal smells like, well, garbage. Areas such as the drain pipes, splash guard, and blades can develop a buildup of foul-smelling food, grease, and all of the things we shouldn't have put in the garbage disposal in the first place. Here are 10 simple tips to make your garbage disposal smell better and keep it smelling fresh from here on out.
When learning how to clean a smelly garbage disposal, take a moment to remember that you're dealing with electricity, water, and sharp blades. Disconnect your garbage disposal from its power source before inspection or the manual removal of debris. You do not want the machine accidentally flipping on while doing either of these. You can do this by unplugging the disposal underneath your sink or flipping the appropriate breaker switch. Be sure to test it to make sure your disposal is really off.
Also, be sure to wear protective gloves when handling natural or store-bought cleaning supplies, as well as any grimy bits that are making your garbage disposal stink.
The rubber strainer at the top of your garbage disposal drain—often called the splash guard or the baffle—can keep debris, smells, and noise from filling your kitchen. It does, however, have the habit of getting dirty.
After disconnecting the disposal from power and putting on those gloves, pull the splash guard toward you to remove it. Scrub the guard with soap and water or let it soak in a white vinegar and water solution.
Similar to the curve in the pipe under any sink, your garbage disposal will have a curved trap underneath the disposal that catches debris and controls the movement of sewer gasses.
Place a bucket underneath the curved pipe and don your gloves. You should be able to unscrew the release on either side of the pipe by hand, though some models require pliers. Inspect the inside of the pipe and flush it with water to ensure no food or grease buildup is causing the smell.
There is always a chance that a small piece of food or debris will become stuck right at the entrance of your disposal, and that can lead to a bad smell in your garbage disposal. After removing the splash guard, shine a flashlight into the top section of the pipe to inspect for trapped food. Again, never, ever stick your hand into the disposal to remove food, even with the power turned off. Use a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers to fish out the culprit.
Garbage disposal smells may be as simple as a slow and steady buildup of grease in the pipes and related parts. Neutralize the grease by sprinkling a half cup of baking soda down the drain, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and then pouring a cup of white or apple cider vinegar down the drain. Let this mixture sit for another 15 minutes, and then rinse with cool water.
Borax works similarly to baking soda by breaking down odors and tricky debris like layers of oil and grease. Pour a quarter of a cup of borax into the drain and let it sit for up to an hour. Rinse the drain with cool water to remove the remaining borax.
A quick ice bath is a great way to clear food debris away from your blades and sharpen them a bit as well. Add 1 cup of ice, a half cup of salt, and several lemon wedges to the drain and turn it on. Remember to turn the water on as well. Let it run until all the items are clear from the blades, and repeat once if necessary.
If you opt for commercial garbage disposal cleaners, take a look at your user manual first. Some cleaners—such as improperly diluted bleach—can corrode the parts of your disposal and drain pipes over time. However, there are also cleaners specific to your garbage disposal that can flush out grease and other potent problems.
A garbage disposal that smells more often than not could be a sign of a larger issue. Dull blades or a dying motor may not be properly breaking down the food through the drain, leaving you with frequent leftovers that lead to smells. We recommend calling a local garbage disposal repair team to analyze the more complex parts of your system and help you decide if you need to repair or replace the disposal.
Steer clear of bad smells by maintaining your garbage disposal with good habits. Only put food down the drain and try not to send too many things down at the same time. Avoid highly fibrous foods and run cool water to encourage it all to flush through the drain. Always head back to your user manual for tips on how to clean your disposal, replace parts, and troubleshoot common issues.
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!
The WaterworksIf you want to pay the most exorbitant prices possible for your job, this is the company for you. “By the job” pricing is a rip-off, at least how these people use it. Every job is plugged into a category and prices are set by category. You might have a job that takes half an hour or one that...
Benjamin Franklin PlumbingCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLCMatt is a consummate professional. The work turned out to be far more difficult than expected and rather than turn the job down, Matt rose to the occasion and completed a near impossible task. I can not recommend Greene's Plumbing Service more highly. On a scale of 1-5 I would give Matt a...
Greene's Plumbing ServiceInvolved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLCAwesome company. Had a jacuzzi tub taken out and replaced with huge walk in shower with partial glass enclosure. Onyx to the ceiling with a decorative border, moved plumbing and installed hand held shower, new ceiling, flooring, and paint. Replaced window with glass block. Everything was done...
Columbus Bath DesignThe initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
Initially, I called the Service People to have a leaking garbage disposal replaced. I had purchased a special deal through Angie's List: $79 for $200-worth of plumbing services. <br /> When I went to schedule the work, the earliest date I could get through Angie's List was after the upcoming...
This company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & Remodeling<p>I am so glad we called Rotor-Rooter. I was hesitant to call them because we usually prefer to give business to local providers. But when we had sewage back up in our basement on a Saturday evening, I had a hard time getting a hold of someone, not to mention the high weekend/evening rate...
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water CleanupFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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.
Garbage disposals last five to 10 years, and replacement is preferred over repairs. Here’s everything you need to know about replacing your garbage disposal.
Sometimes the smallest home luxuries make the biggest difference. Installing a new garbage disposal is a relatively low-cost project with the option to DIY. Upgrade your kitchen by checking out the common costs associated with garbage disposal installation
Did you know it’s possible to install your own garbage disposal? Here’s how to do it—including how to remove and replace an old one.
Garbage disposals aren’t a fail-proof method of disposing food waste and other items. If misused, you can damage your appliance, the drainage system, or both. This guide discusses what to—and what not to—put into a garbage disposal.
When your garbage disposal is acting funny, it’s time to troubleshoot. Our guide shows you how to reset your garbage disposal as you try to identify the issue.
