House Cleaning

How to Clean a Garbage Disposal the Right Way: A Professional House Cleaner’s Guide

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Proper garbage disposal is essential for maintaining household hygiene and protecting people from harmful diseases. But due to some hurdles like time limitations and a lack of supplies, the task remains incomplete. In that case, you can contact an expert like Lazy Susans Cleaning to clean a garbage disposal with proper instructions.

We have years of experience and sustainable techniques like baking soda garbage disposal, so that you can stay safe and healthy. With us, you can expect quality results for cleaning a greasy kitchen

If you want more details on Affresh garbage disposal cleaner, this blog will help. So, let's get started.

Why Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal Matters

The garbage disposal needs to be cleaned regularly to grind food waste for kitchen deep cleaning. In routine cleaning, all dirt attracted to the disposal by the awkward scent from decomposing food—that stays hidden—is washed away. 

Also, nothing severely damages the blades unless they barely cut into new waste, causing a worn-out clog. The care prevents or reduces clogging and unsightly water backups in the other alternating phase. 

Common Signs Your Garbage Disposal Needs Cleaning

Odors from the sink indicate concentrated food waste holed up within the wicked crevices of the disposal. Other telltale signs include slow drains and water accumulating in the sink. It’s a sign you should look for a reliable house cleaning service

Lastly, the disposal will emit grinding sounds or rattle to signify that food or foreign matter is trapped near the blades. If food waste particles are backing up into the sink or if grime can be seen beneath the splash guard, it is a clear indication that cleaning is definitely in order.

What to Do Before You Start

There are some factors you should consider when caring for the garbage disposal. For instance, the required material and the correct way to carry out the procedure are needed to save time and effort. Here’s what you need to do before starting the baking soda garbage disposal.

  • Switch off the garbage disposal and unplug the device if possible.
  • Do not insert hands into the disposal.
  • Use tongs or pliers to remove debris if you can see some.
  • Clear the sink of potential slip-and-fall hazards.
  • Maintain a steady stream of cold water running in an adjacent place.

Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposal cleaning should be done frequently to maintain kitchen freshness and prevent buildup that can lead to clogs. Use these general guidelines to remove odors, break down residues, and maintain healthy drainage. It’ll help you get rid of the garbage quickly and smartly. Here’s the best way to clean a garbage disposal.

Step 1 — Clean the Splash Guard

The first step to clean a garbage disposal is to wipe the rubber splash guard to prevent foul smells with attached grease, food bits, and grime that become unclean beneath. Scrub the underside of the guard with warm water and a few drops of dish soap, using a small brush or an old toothbrush. Pull the rubber gently upward to reach the hidden areas, then rinse thoroughly.

Step 2 — Remove Visible Food Debris

Do not put any cleaning agents into the disposal before inspecting the inside for residue or stuck food scraps. Remove everything you can see with tongs or some pliers. Avoid reaching them with your hands, even if the unit is off. This comes in handy for as many open opportunities as possible to clean the appliance thoroughly.

Step 3 — Deodorize with Baking Soda & Vinegar

Pouring of ½ cup baking soda directly into the disposal, then slowly adding 1 cup of vinegar. The fizzing reaction lifts grime and neutralizes stubborn odors. Let the mixture sit and work for at least 5 minutes before rinsing. This goes towards taking out the bacteria and breaking down any organic residue by natural means.

Step 4 — Clean the Grinding Chamber with Hot Water & Dish Soap

The tap should be turned on now, hot. The dish soap should be squeezed down the drain. Small amounts are squeezed down into the drain. Run the disposal for about 10-15 seconds while hot water flows. Apart from that, it rinses everything out of there-all the stuff we separated with hot water from our dishwashing soap and the baking soda and vinegar mixture.

Step 5 — Deep Clean by Grinding Ice & Salt

In the disposal, drop ice cubes (1 to 2 cups). Put in 2 to 3 tablespoons of coarse salt. Turn the disposal on for about 10 seconds. When the ice falls into the water, it is going to knock off residue stuck onto the device while the salt acts as an abrasive scrub. This also helps to keep the grinding components sharper and more efficient.

Step 6 — Freshen with Lemon or Citrus Peels

Finally, grind a few lemon, lime, or orange peels. The oils in citrus leave a very fresh, mostly natural smell and will work to break down any last bits of grease. That means your disposal will be smelling fresh until its next cleaning. If you want, you can even use a Glisten garbage disposer cleaner for better results.

How Often Should You Clean Your Garbage Disposal?

Regarding how often you clean your disposals, aim for light weekly and deep once a month to keep blades, splash guards, and drain lines running smoothly. However, cooking regularly and using the disposal daily requires more cleaning to keep it in good condition.

Certain kitchen scraps damage the disposal blades, clog the pipes, or leave stubborn residue in the drain. Being aware of what goes into your garbage disposal helps avoid costly repairs and keep your kitchen plumbing in good working order.

Foods You Should Never Put in a Garbage Disposal

Some food scraps can ruin disposal blades, create blockages in pipes, and leave stubborn residue in the drain. Knowing what goes into the garbage disposal helps prevent costly repairs and ensures these lines run without problems.

  • Grease & oils
  • Coffee grounds
  • Eggshells
  • Bones
  • Fibrous vegetables
  • Pasta & rice
  • Large fruit pits

Eco-Friendly Methods for a Cleaner Kitchen

These are intense natural deodorizers and sanitizers at your disposal: vinegar, lemon, citrus peels, or baking soda for those unfamiliar with these cleaning toxins. These saviors of the earth are very cost-effective and practical, and also better for the house and the earth. The sink disposal cleaner will prevent the smell from your kitchen and maintain a breathable environment.

Professional Maintenance Tips for a Longer-Lasting Disposal

A simple change of a few habits can add years to your life. Avoid hurdles by using the proper cleaning methods, keeping the blades free of hard debris, and ensuring water flows steadily every time you use Affresh garbage disposal cleaner.

Easy Weekly Habits

Weekly habits to clean a garbage disposal offer a fresh and complete working condition because these simple practices only take a few minutes to carry out and prevent the most common problems before they start: 

  • Run cold water before and after grinding 
  • Avoid overloading 
  • Use small food scraps only

When to Call a Professional Cleaner

Sometimes a simple cleaning is not enough, especially when a problem resurfaces. Knowing when to call in a professional will save time, unnecessary stress, and long-term damage to the plumbing system. Contact a cleaner to deep clean the garbage disposal if: 

  • Odors that won't stop 
  • Clogs in the drain 
  • Grinding mechanical issues 
  • For the entire kitchen deep cleaning

So, hire a house cleaner and get rid of all the problems mentioned above.

Why Choose Lazy Susans Cleaning for Your Kitchen Deep Cleaning?

Choosing Lazy Susans Cleaning for your kitchens would be the best way to clean a garbage disposal without hurdles and challenges. That’s because we have a team of professionals who know how to deep clean the kitchen and promote hygiene. 

We even offer our customers a cost-effective pricing structure with multiple plans so they can choose the one suitable for their requirements. With us, you can expect your kitchen to be maintained professionally with the best way to clean a garbage disposal.

FAQs - How to Clean a Garbage Disposal 

How do you clean a smelly garbage disposal?

Cleaning a smelly garbage disposal requires a step-by-step approach to achieve the desired result. Start by running hot water to soften the residues, then prepare a mixture of ½ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar. Leave the solution for 15 minutes before rinsing the area with hot water again.

How do I unclog a garbage disposal?

To unclog your garbage disposal, unplug it properly or press the reset button in case the bottom of the unit stops working. Now, flush your disposal with hot water to remove the clogs with Affresh garbage disposal cleaner.

How to fix a slow-draining kitchen sink?

There are multiple ways to fix a slow-draining kitchen sink, such as the boiling water method, using vinegar or baking soda, or using a drain snake to remove clogs deep inside the sink.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to clean a garbage disposal odor, you can maintain hygiene in your living space without hurdles. By understanding the steps and gathering the required materials, you can save time and get it done quickly.

Furthermore, if you find your schedule busier than usual, contacting a professional would be effective. The baking soda garbage disposal from experts will provide you with the desired result.

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