Deep cleaning a kitchen usually consists of wiping down the countertops, loading the dishes, cleaning fingerprints off your appliances, organizing food-storage containers, and maybe even swapping out your dish sponge—but how often do you remember to clean your garbage disposal? Because it's out of sight, many homeowners forget about this handy under-counter appliance until a suspicious odor starts to waft in. Learn how to clean a garbage disposal properly, however, and that smell can be a thing of the past.
While there are a number of garbage disposal cleaning pods, sheets, and detergents on the market you can buy, you don't really need them. The most effective and recommended cleaning solution is a DIY mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and water, followed by a handful of ice and a sprinkle of regular salt—all stuff we bet you've got in your pantry. Ahead, we break down exactly how to clean a garbage disposal step by step.
Materials
- Rubber gloves
- Baking soda
- Lemon
- Distilled white vinegar
- Hot water
- Ice
- Salt
Step 1: Clear the Drain
First, check for any large food particles that could be blocking the garbage disposal. Switch off the power to the disposal to prevent the blades from accidentally turning on while you're cleaning it out. Then, shine a flashlight down the drain to check for any large pieces of food. If you see something, don a pair of rubber gloves and carefully—watch out for the blades—grab and remove it.
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Step 2: Freshen It Up
Once the garbage disposal is clear of any large food particles, it's time to deodorize it and flush it out. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda directly into the sink drain to coat the disposal. To add a clean scent, many people recommend squeezing lemon juice on top as well. Then, pour vinegar onto the baking soda; it will bubble up. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes or so, then flush the baking soda and vinegar down the drain with hot or boiling water.
Step 3: Clean the Blades
To clean off any remaining buildup on the blades of the disposal, turn the power back on, then pour two cups of ice (any kind works; just avoid oversized or infused cubes) into the drain. Add a cup of salt to that, turn on the cold water, and switch on the disposal. Let it run until all the ice has been ground up. The salt and ice work together to act as an effective scrub without damaging the blades.
You can also put a few citrus peels, like leftover lemon or orange rinds, down the disposal as a quick fix, but that's better for eliminating odors than deep cleaning.
Step 4: Use It Wisely
To avoid blockages and horrible odors, follow these expert tips Home Depot recommends to be kinder to your garbage disposal—we couldn't agree more.
- Never grind more than a cup of food debris at once to avoid overwhelming the system
- Deep clean your garbage disposal or use a disposal pod once a month.
- Don't put fibrous foods (like celery, carrot peels, or corn husks) down the disposal as their thin hairs can easily accumulate and cause a clog.
How often to clean a garbage disposal depends on how frequently you cook and how heavily you use the disposal. Do you compost or toss out your veggie scraps or put them in the disposal? If you run it while cleaning up after every meal, it's a good idea to clean a garbage disposal once a week to prevent clogs and odors and keep your kitchen running smoothly. Nothing puts a damper on your evening like a backed-up sink.
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.
