Key Takeaways
- Frequency: Clean weekly if you use it daily; monthly at minimum.
- Safety: Always unplug first and never put your hand inside. Use tongs or a brush.
- Supplies: Gloves, white vinegar, baking soda, ice, salt, and citrus peels.
- Core steps: Remove and wash the splash guard, then clear debris, then use baking soda and vinegar and wait 30 minutes, then flush with hot water, then do an ice and salt scrub.
- Deodorize: Use citrus peels or an oxygen bleach solution. Never mix any bleach with vinegar or ammonia.
- Water: Run cold water while grinding. Rinse for about 30 seconds after shutting it off.
- Avoid: Greasy, starchy, hard, fibrous items, and chemicals.
Why Cleaning Matters
Cleanup after meal prep is half the battle in the kitchen, and the garbage disposal is a key appliance. Your disposal can handle quite a bit of traffic throughout the day and requires regular cleaning of its own. It is easy to overlook the need to clean it because it is mostly hidden from view. Small pieces of food can get stuck in the splash guard and grinding chamber, and bacteria can build up over time. This buildup can clog the sink and give off an unpleasant odor.
How Often to Clean
If you use your garbage disposal daily, clean it once a week. The process is not time-consuming, and you most likely have everything you need at home already. If you want a cleaner sink, try these quick tips for cleaning your garbage disposal.
What You’ll Need
- Gloves
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Ice
- Table salt (or rock salt)
- Lemon peels
Safety First
Put on gloves. Unplug the garbage disposal from the wall. After unplugging, flip the wall switch to make sure it does not come on. You can never be too cautious.
Step 1: Remove and Wash the Splash Guard
Once you are certain the power is off, remove the splash guard (the rubber piece with slits). It should pull right out without much effort. Wash it with dish detergent and a scrub brush, then set it aside.
Step 2: Clear Debris in the Grinding Chamber
Look into the disposal and remove any food or objects that might be lodged in the grinding chamber. Do not reach in with your hands. The metal parts can still cut you even when they are not moving. Use a pair of tongs to pick out any debris. When finished, press the splash guard back into place. It should pop into the grooves.
Step 3: De-gunk With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Pour ½ cup of baking soda and then ½ cup of white vinegar down the drain. Wait about 30 minutes, then flush with hot (not boiling) water. This alone is often sufficient to clean the disposal.
Step 4: Scrub With Ice and Salt
Add 2 cups of ice and 1 cup of table salt (or rock salt) to the disposal. If you are low on salt, 1 cup of vinegar will also help. Turn on the cold water and then the disposal until all the ice has been ground up. The ice and salt act as a gentle scrub. This alone is sufficient to clean your garbage disposal.
Deodorizing Options
- Oxygen bleach solution: Mix ⅓ cup of oxygen bleach with ⅔ cup of hot water. Pour it down the disposal, then flush thoroughly with hot water from the faucet.
- Citrus peels: Grind lemon peels (or any citrus peels). Run cold water and turn on the disposal. This option is often better for routine freshening.
What Not to Put Down the Disposal
Greasy
- Grease, fat, oil
Starchy
- Pasta, oatmeal, rice, bread
Hard
- Bones
- Eggshells
- Nuts and nutshells
- Coffee grounds (granular particles can settle and clog)
Fibrous
- Fibrous vegetables (for example, celery, corn husks, artichokes)
- Onion skins
- Pumpkin strings and peels
- Large amounts of fruit and vegetable peels
Chemicals
- Cleaning chemicals or any non-food trash
Water Temperature and Rinsing
Run cold water while the disposal is on. Let the water run for about 30 seconds after you turn it off. Try not to use hot water during grinding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why cold water while grinding?
Cold water helps keep fats solid so they do not smear along the plumbing, and it moves debris through the drain more effectively during grinding.
Can I use regular chlorine bleach?
Avoid routine use of chlorine bleach in disposals. If you choose to use any bleach, dilute it well and never mix it with vinegar or ammonia. Oxygen bleach is the gentler option listed above.
Do ice cubes actually sharpen the blades?
Disposals do not have sharp blades. They use blunt impellers. Ice and salt scour away residue and help reduce odors.
Are citrus peels safe?
Yes, in small amounts. They freshen the smell. Chop large peels, avoid seeds and pits, and do not pack the disposal full.
Is it okay to put coffee grounds down the disposal?
No. Coffee grounds can accumulate in pipes and contribute to clogs.
How do I know if my splash guard is removable?
Most drop-in guards lift straight out from the sink opening. If yours will not budge or appears built into the unit from below, clean it in place instead of forcing it.
What is the fastest routine when I am busy?
Two steps:
- Use ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup vinegar, wait 30 minutes, then flush with hot water.
- Do an ice and salt scrub with cold water until the ice is gone.
Maintenance Frequency
Clean the disposal at least once a month. If you use it daily, weekly cleaning is recommended. The garbage disposal is a vital part of your kitchen, so keep it clean and well maintained. Doing so helps prevent mold, food, and bacteria buildup, and it keeps your kitchen fresh smelling.
Want Expert Help?
For professional assistance, call Evolved Plumbing in Columbus, Ohio, at (614) 515-3101 or visit evolvedplumbing.com.