There’s nothing more unpleasant than walking into your kitchen and being hit with the lingering smell of last week’s food scraps. Your first instinct is to glare at your trash can in disgust, but we’ll save you time and tell you that it’s not your trash can to blame. Your garbage disposal is the one to worry about.
The way your garbage disposal smells can tell you whether or not the problem is food not being disposed of correctly or if a more serious issue is at hand. HomeX has found that many smelly garbage disposal situations can be solved in a few easy ways.
Read below to find out how you can cure and avoid offensive smells lingering at your disposal.
Rotting Food
Sharp smells are often caused by rotting or decaying food that has become stuck on the disposal blades or crusted onto the drainage pipes. The best way to ensure your food does not become stuck on any surface is to confirm the scraps are properly ground and flushed in the following ways:
- Run cold water down your drain before raking in the food
- Turn on hot water as you shovel the scraps into your disposal
- Have your disposal go for 30 to 40 seconds to ensure everything is ground and drained
Mold or Mildew
If your disposal smells like mold or mildew, those two have likely made a home down there. It is not uncommon for a dish rag or sponge to slip down your drain. Mold and mildew can quickly build up on items gone unnoticed in your system.
If this happens, remove and dispose of the items. Sprinkle baking soda, vinegar, and warm water into your drain to eliminate the mold.
Oils and Fats
Flushing oils, greases and fats down your train is a tricky thing to do. These substances congeal and don’t slide through your pipes like any other liquid.
This build-up can cause odors and clog your pipes by preventing other food from getting through. The next time you want to get rid of these items, allow them to cool and throw them in your trash can.
How To Clean Your Garbage Disposal
Your disposal should be thoroughly rinsed after every use, but it should get an intentional cleaning weekly. Here are some of the best ways to keep your disposal clean and odor-free.
Soap and Water
Hot water and soap go a long way in keeping your system clean. Use a grease-cutting soap, and coat it as best you can around the sides of your drain.
Garabge Disposal Pods
The pods have become an effective and popular option in maintaining disposal systems. Drop one of the cleaning pods as you run your disposal and flush with hot water.
Ice Cubes
An excellent cleaning option is to use a cup of ice cubes. Pour a cup of cubes into your drain and turn on your disposal. The ice helps break away old food grime lodged in any of the system’s components.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
We all know the old baking soda and vinegar science experiment, but it is far more than just your entertainment. The mixture will cause any stuck food particles to break down further. This method will also double as an odor eliminator due to the baking soda.
Is The Odor Still There?
If you’ve tried our tricks to beating the offensive smells and you’re still having trouble, you may need a garbage disposal repair. Call a plumbing expert to help you identify your issue. Consider a garbage disposal replacement as well. If you find that you are using your disposal frequently and using it to break down large quantities, you should consider that your home may need a more extensive system.
