Garbage disposals are great for keeping your entire kitchen clean.
Garbage disposals are great for keeping your entire kitchen clean and making cleanup quicker by disposing of food waste, but sometimes you have to clean the garbage disposal and give it a bit of freshening. If you consistently clean out your garbage disposal throughout the years, you will avoid any serious plumbing issues down the line. Here are a few easy DIY methods for cleaning your garbage disposal to keep it fresh all the time!
Ice Cubes in Your Garbage Disposal
By now, you have probably heard that putting ice cubes down your garbage disposal will help you eliminate smells and sharpen out the blades. This can help keep your disposal clean since it allows for the blades to continue to function at their very best. To do this:
- Toss a handful of ice cubes down into your disposal
- Turn on cold water and aim it right down the drain
- Flip on your garbage disposal, and let everything run for around 30 seconds
As ice cubes start to break into chunks while the disposal is on, they can grab any pesky lingering food or waste that is already stuck in your disposal, clearing all of it out completely.
Lemons
Lemons are such a huge tool in your kitchen. Not only are they great for cooking, but their high level of acidity attacks bacteria. Their scent is also clean and fresh, making them super helpful at removing any unwanted odors. To use lemons to clean out your garbage disposal, you should:
- Take a whole lemon and cut it up into fourths
- Remove seeds since they will put extra stress on your disposal blades
- Put the lemon wedges into your disposal
- Turn on cold water and make sure that it is running into the drain
- Flip on your garbage disposal and let it grind for about a minute
Lemons are the best member of the citrus group when it comes to fighting odors and bacteria, but if you wish to change up the scent coming from your sink, throw in a couple of chunks of oranges or limes. Any citrus fruits could change up your scent.
Vinegar and Baking Soda in Your Garbage Disposal
Baking soda and vinegar are such great cleaning partners because of the acid-based reaction when combined. Both could do wonders of their own, but their chemical reactions can help unclog disposal drains too. Mix vinegar and baking soda, cover your drain with a stopper, and then pour and see the magic work.
Get in Touch With B&D Today!
Dealing with any plumbing concerns that require a professional to step in? Struggling with an absolute plumbing emergency that can’t wait? Let B&D Plumbing know. B&D Plumbing Inc. services the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Northern Virginia. Get in touch with us by calling (301) 595-1141 or follow us on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. As a small, family-owned business, we understand how important your home is—and we offer exceptional service that matches!