How do you clean a smelly garbage disposal?

Answer 1

There are a few things I was taught to do when you garbage disposal smells and they have always worked for me. Run really hot water for about a minute and than run the garbage disposal with the hot water for 10 or so seconds. Than cut off the peel of an orange and throw the orange peel into the garbage disposal and turn it on for a few seconds and that should get rid of the smell, plus your kitchen will smell good!

Answer 2

Garbage disposers clean themselves if used properly. Do not put lye or other chemical drain pipe cleaners into the disposer.

Periodically, and always after disposing of fibrous food wastes, purge the drainline by filling the sink with two or three inches of cold water. Turn on the food waste disposer and allow this water to run through with no wastes added.

Before leaving your home for several days, check to be sure all wastes have been flushed out of the disposer to avoid the creation of odors. If odors should occur through an oversight, they can be removed by running orange or lemon peels or ice cubes through the disposer.

[Info from the Home Maintenance And Repair Database at the Michigan State University website]

Citrus peels are great also you could try pouring baking soda in the drain then pour vinegar over the baking soda and wait a few minutes before rinsing.

Pressurized drain cleaning products, like CLR Power Plumber, offer an alternative to chemical drain cleaning. One of the CLR products is usable 10 or more times. The 4.5 oz replacement cans can be found at Amazon.com for around $8. The actual pumping action product is usually priced at around $30. Plumb-Away is a similarly operated and priced device, also able to be found on Amazon.com.

They generally advertise the pressure can clean:

50' down a 1.5" diameter pipe

40' down a 2" diameter pipe

35' down a 3.5" diameter pipe

25' down a 4" diameter pipe

18' down a 5" diameter pipe

A quick, cursory search on Google for either product name, in quotations, will yield many forums of happy customers.

According to the author of Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean, Linda Cobb, fill the sink with 3 inches of warm water and mix in 1 cup of baking soda. Drain with the disposal running. This should keep disposals fresh and free-flowing.

I've found the best way to clean it is to run the hot water tap until the water is hot, then reduce the flow to a trickle and turn on disposal. While the hot water and the disposal are on, add a big squirt of liquid dish detergent (NOT automatic dishwasher detergent) down the disposal, and let both of them run until all the soap has been flushed away.

The hot water and the motion of the disposal "whips" the detergent into a frothy suds, which cleans not only the disposal, but the underside of the rubber guard in the opening of the disposal, as well. It also helps by the suds 'floating' up food particles such as celery stalk strings that have wrapped around the grinders, then flushing them away.

After grinding any remaining food items in the garbage disposal, pour some baking soda into the entry. Add white vinegar. You will get a small volcano which will clean and degrease the disposal.

Answer 3

There is a new product out by "Mr. Clean" that is in a white bottle with bright pink/purple swirls on it. This is suppose to get rust off anything. I bought some and haven't tired it yet, but the Mr. Clean products are usually excellent to use.

Answer 4

Your disposal might be jammed. Look on the bottom of the disposal there is a hex indention on the bottom of the unit. Using an Allen wrence turn the indention back and forth several times. Remove the wrench and try the disposal. Usually there is a wrench to fit the unit attached by tape to the disposal.

ANS 2 There is often a motor re-set button on garburators. If you see a red button on the bottom, press it, then try to switch on

Answer 5

A plunger is still the best tool, but if you have a double sink it gets a little tricky. On a double sink you will need to plug the opposite drain; if your drain has a basket that screws in that will work, but if it does not then use this method to close off that drain. Put whatever stopper you have in place and then cover it with a wet washrag and hold it down firmly. Now on your clogged disposal side add water only a few inches and use the plunger, remember you are trying to dislodge the clog and free up a passage for drainage. It does not have to be perfect, at this time. Hint: Make sure your disposal is off and don't let anyone near the switch while you are working on it. Try to clear out as much using a tongs before trying to plunge. When you get it flowing make sure to run sufficient water down the drain to clear the traps use a couple gallons after that run the hot water for awhile this will help clear some of the built up greases.

Answer 6

First unplug or switch it OFF. Look underneath with a flashlight and you'll see a hex socket in the centre , (usually 1/4 hex) fit an Allen key in here and turn it back and forward a few times to dislodge whatever is jamming it. Next, there may be a red button near this socket. See if it will press in, it's a re-set switch. Now remove Allen key (yes, it's amazing how many people start it with this in ! ) go up and switch on a good flow of water then start the machine . -If it doesn't work now, it's time to replace it.

Answer 7

Pour a solution of baking soda and vinegar down the disposal. Make this solution in the sink.

Answer 8

My 74-year-old friend (who lives alone) had a clogged garbage disposal.

She stuck a broom handle in it and forced it to spin, and it works fine now.

Answer 9

you don't pour anything in your garbage disposal. if its clogged you just flick the switch to make everything unclog. you can also call a plumber for better advice.