How To Properly Clean Your Garbage Disposal, According to Pros

Ever wondered what that foul smell coming from your sink is, even after you've run the garbage disposal? You're not alone. It's a common kitchen headache that leaves many homeowners scratching their heads and reaching for air fresheners. But here's the thing: masking the smell isn't solving the real problem, and that neglected disposal could be heading toward a costly repair if you don't take action.

"The biggest mistake I see homeowners make is treating their garbage disposal like a trash can," says Omer Cevikol, president of Next Day Cleaning, a maid service in Washington, DC. "It's very easy to do, and you probably already have the things you need in the kitchen," he added.

Think of your garbage disposal like your coffee maker or microwave. It needs regular cleaning to work properly. Those forgotten food bits don't just disappear. Instead, they stick to the disposal's walls and blades, creating perfect conditions for bacteria growth.

When homeowners ignore regular disposal cleaning, food scraps can build up and lodge themselves in hard-to-reach places, explains Brian Custer, a virtual plumbing expert at the home care and maintenance app Frontdoor. Here's the good news: getting your disposal back in shape is simpler than you might think.

Keep reading for our step-by-step guide on how to get your disposal clean and fresh again. These simple methods will not only solve current problems but help prevent new ones from popping up.

How often should you clean your garbage disposal?

The frequency of cleaning your garbage disposal depends on how often you use it in your daily routine. For households that cook frequently and run their disposal daily, a weekly cleaning schedule helps prevent buildup and keeps odors at bay. However, if you're an occasional cook or don't use your disposal as often, a monthly deep clean might be sufficient.

"Most homeowners don't realize that regular garbage disposal maintenance is just as important as cleaning their other kitchen appliances," says Custer. To stay on track, set a reminder with a smart home device or put one on the calendar.

How to clean your garbage disposal

Method #1: The baking soda and vinegar method

• What you’ll need:
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1 cup white vinegar
• Hot water
• Ice cubes
• Stopper or sink plug

The fizzing action helps dislodge trapped food particles, while the natural properties of both ingredients deodorize your disposal effectively.

Here's how to do it:

1. Before starting, make sure your disposal is completely turned off at the switch. Run hot water through the disposal for 30 seconds to wash away any loose food particles that might be sitting in the unit. This prep step makes the deep cleaning more effective.
2. Measure out 1/2 cup of baking soda and pour it directly into the disposal. Try to spread it around so it coats all the sides of the disposal chamber; this ensures maximum cleaning coverage for all the surfaces where grime can build up.
3. Take your cup of white vinegar and pour it slowly into the disposal. You'll notice immediate fizzing and bubbling. This is the chemical reaction that helps break down grease and food particles. Place the stopper in the drain immediately to keep the cleaning action contained, and let it work for 15 minutes.
4. After the waiting period, remove the stopper and turn on your hot water at full pressure. Let it run through the disposal for 30 seconds while running the disposal to wash away all the loosened debris and baking soda-vinegar mixture.
5. For extra cleaning power, drop a handful of ice cubes into the running disposal. The ice helps scrub away any remaining residue while simultaneously helping to maintain and sharpen the disposal's blades. Run cold water while doing this step until all the ice is gone.

Method #2: The Soap and Warm Water Method

• What you'll need:
• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Scrub Daddy or long-handled brush
• Clean sponge
• Rubber gloves
• Flashlight (optional, for better visibility)
• Clean cloth
• Stopper or sink plug

This method works best for regular maintenance and tackling visible grime that builds up around the rubber flaps and disposal rim. Let's look at the steps for this simple but effective cleaning technique.

1. Put on your rubber gloves and turn off the disposal. Use your flashlight to inspect the rubber splash guard (the black flaps at the drain opening) for any visible buildup or debris. Remove any large pieces you can see by hand.
2. Apply dish soap directly to your Scrub Daddy or brush. Lift each rubber flap of the splash guard and thoroughly scrub both the top and bottom surfaces. These flaps often trap food particles and develop a slimy coating that causes odors.
3. Pour a generous amount of dish soap into the disposal and add warm water until it's about halfway full. Place the stopper in the drain and let this soapy solution sit for 3-5 minutes to help break down grease and grime. Remove the stopper and turn on the disposal while running warm water to flush everything through.
4. Run warm water for an additional 30 seconds to ensure all soap residue is gone. Use your clean cloth to wipe around the disposal opening and rubber flaps. Run your flashlight over the cleaned areas for a final inspection—the rubber flaps should look clean and feel smooth, not slimy.

How to treat odors in your garbage disposal

Drop lemon, lime, or orange peels into your running disposal. The natural oils help deodorize, while the citrus acids break down grease. For stubborn smells, try a natural enzyme cleaner designed for disposal. These break down organic matter stuck in hard-to-reach places.

If you've tried cleaning methods and still notice persistent odors or unusual sounds, it's time to call a plumber. These could be signs of deeper issues that need professional attention. Remember, addressing odors promptly helps prevent bigger issues down the line.

Can you clean a garbage disposal with ice cubes?

Some cleaning and plumbing pros widely recommend using ice cubes and rock salt as an effective cleaning method for your garbage disposal. This simple combination acts like a powerful scrubbing team.

However, not all experts agree on the ice cube method. Be cautious with ice cleaning, especially if you have a standard builder-grade disposal. Many home disposals are made with plastic components, and repeated ice grinding could potentially damage them or cause leaks under your cabinet."

Make sure you have a quality disposal that can handle ice grinding. What works for one unit might damage another. If you're unsure about your disposal's durability, stick to gentler cleaning methods like baking soda and vinegar.

How to take care of your garbage disposal

Here are the items that experts say should never go down your disposal and need to be discarded separately:

• Coffee grounds and eggshells
• Fibrous vegetables
• Pasta, rice, and bread
• Oils and grease
• Bones and fruit pits
• Potato peels
• Non-food items

Treating your disposal with care isn't just about avoiding costly repairs; it's about maintaining your kitchen's efficiency. When you put the wrong items down at your disposal, they don't just disappear. Instead, they can create a chain reaction of problems, from dull blades to clogged pipes that affect your entire plumbing system.

Think of your disposal like a food processor, not a trash can. It works best when processing soft, easily biodegradable foods in small amounts. Always run cold water before, during, and after using your disposal, and avoid overloading it with too much food at once. These simple habits can help extend your disposal's life and prevent the most common issues.