In April, we discussed best practices for using your garbage disposal. Now, here are some best practices when it comes to cleaning your garbage disposal and keeping it smelling fresh. Following these simple guidelines will become an important part of your kitchen cleaning routine and can even extend the lifespan of your garbage disposal.
Citrus
Citrus is a great cleaning agent for your garbage disposal because of its fresh smell and cleansing qualities. While it’s important to keep large and extra tough peels and rinds out of your garbage disposal, small bits of lemon or lime peel work well for a quick garbage disposal refresher. Simply drop a few small pieces down your drain, turn on cold water, and run the garbage disposal for a few seconds. The rough peel will help to clean the blades, and the citrus juice will add a fresh scent.
Ice Cubes
Ice cubes are also a good option for a quick garbage disposal cleaning. Drop a handful of ice cubes down the drain, run cold water, and turn on the garbage disposal for about 30 seconds to help de-gunk the blades and remove food particles from your disposal. Some even opt for freezing vinegar in ice cube trays to use for added cleaning power.
Thorough Cleaning
For a more thorough cleaning regimen, you’ll need to have a few ingredients on hand, namely baking soda, vinegar, boiling water, ice, salt, and a lemon or lime. First, you’ll want to create a fizzing solution in your garbage disposal by pouring one part baking soda followed by one part vinegar down your kitchen sink drain. Let this cleansing solution react for a few minutes. Meanwhile, boil a pot of water and pour the water down the drain once the baking soda-vinegar solution has been given ample time to work on your garbage disposal. This will provide further cleansing and clear the vinegar and baking soda solution from the disposal. Follow the boiling water with two large handfuls of ice. Pour a cup of coarse salt over the ice and then run the garbage disposal under cold water until the ice is gone. This step helps loosen any grime or debris that the previous steps left behind. Finally, cut your lemon or lime into at least four small pieces and drop these pieces down your kitchen drain. Run the disposal again under cold water to give your kitchen sink and garbage disposal a fresh citrus scent.
Commercial Cleaners
With the possibilities of cleaning your disposal with staple kitchen ingredients like baking soda, ice, and citrus, a commercial is usually not necessary for cleaning your disposal. However, for those who would rather rely on a commercial cleaners, cleaning tablets that you drop down your drain while running the disposal are also available. You can also opt for regularly dispensing some dish soap down your drain and running the disposal for about a minute after doing your dishes.
