Your garbage disposal needs care from time to time. Cleaning your garbage disposal every day can eliminate and prevent bad odors. Periodic deep cleaning is also good for your garbage disposal. Follow these tips from Diamondback Plumbing and learn how to clean your garbage disposal properly.
Daily Cleaning
Daily cleaning will keep your garbage disposal in good condition while reducing its need for periodic deep cleaning. For this, you will need the following:
- Dishwashing detergent
- Hot water
- Tiny scrub brush
Directions:
- Pour hot water into your garbage disposal and sink, and add a coat of your dishwashing detergent to make a few suds.
- Switch on your garbage disposal and allow the water to flush through. The water mixed with detergent will loosen and eliminate the debris left in your garbage disposal.
- Turn off the disposal before doing this step. Remove the screen or drain, and use a tiny scrub brush to wash away grime and dirt. Put the screen or drain back to its original position.
Periodic Deep Cleaning
Periodic deep cleaning will remove dirt buildup and refine your grinders or blades. The number of times you need to do periodic deep cleaning will depend on how often you use your garbage disposal. Likewise, deep cleaning is not always necessary if you are keeping your garbage disposal thoroughly clean every day. If possible, perform periodic deep cleaning once a month. Here, you will need the following:
- Baking soda
- Ice cubes
- Large-sized pot for water
- Vinegar
- Used/old toothbrush
- Water
Directions:
- Start removing the visible food particles in your garbage disposal.
- Get 2 ice cubes and let them run through your garbage disposal to loosen those food particles lingering on the grinders or blades. Ice cubes may also sharpen the blades of your unit.
- Get a ½ cup baking soda and pour it into your garbage disposal.
- Get a cup of vinegar and pour it into the machine. The mixture inside your garbage disposal will dissolve and bubble while it expands. If applicable, cover your garbage disposal and the drain of your second sink.
- Leave the mixture for up to 10 minutes.
- Fill a big pot with water boil it.
- When the boiling water is ready, take away the covers of your garbage disposal and sink.
- Pour the hot water in your garbage disposal and let it run to eliminate the loosened debris.
- Take away the splash guard and wash it carefully. Scrub the bottom using a used or old toothbrush.
- If the splash guard is hard to remove, try lifting each flap and brushing its bottom using the toothbrush. This way, you can easily eliminate the dirt buildup and the unpleasant smell.
- Put the splash guard back to its original position.
You may also run some citrus peels through your garbage disposal to have a refreshing scent in your kitchen. Scented oil is a good alternative for the citrus peels. Put a few drops of aromatic oil in your garbage disposal and leave it on for 2 to 3 hours before rinsing with water.
Tips for Maintaining Your Garbage Disposal
- Fill your garbage disposal with biodegradable items only. Fibrous or starchy food items, rice, pasta, and coffee grinds can cause clogging in your machine.
- Let your garbage disposal run for a longer time with every use.
- Protect your drain from grease.
- Cut the big slices of vegetables or fruits into tiny pieces before letting them run through your garbage disposal.
Proper care and regular maintenance will help you lengthen the life span of your disposal. If something goes wrong with your garbage disposal, contact Diamondback Plumbing right away.
One more thing always make sure to run water, then turn on the disposal, then you put the scrapings in the disposal in that exact order to avoid clogging your line.