Have you ever noticed a bad smell coming from your garbage disposal? Or perhaps it isn’t working as effectively as it used to? Like any kitchen appliance, your garbage disposal needs cleaning and properly maintaining in order to keep it in top condition. Read on for some basic tips on how to clean and maintain your garbage disposal.
How often should you clean your garbage disposal?
To prevent foul odors and keep your disposal clear of grime and food particles, it’s a good idea to clean it at least every 1-2 weeks. This is assuming that you follow the guidelines for using it properly and don’t put anything in your disposal that doesn’t belong there. If you misuse your garbage disposal, then more frequent cleaning and maintenance are likely to be needed.
How to clean your garbage disposal
The first thing you must always do before cleaning your garbage disposal is shut off the power to it for your safety. Using regular dish soap and a sponge or scrubbing brush, clean the top portions of the garbage disposal. You shouldn’t put your hand down into the garbage disposal, though.
To clean deeper into the garbage disposal, it’s a good idea to run hot water through the disposal for a couple of minutes between uses. Make sure to only use cold water while you are running the disposal for food waste, though, to prevent build-up of grease and fats. For a more thorough clean, you can put some degreaser or a homemade solution of vinegar and baking soda down the disposal and then flush it through with water.
Grinding ice in your disposal can also help to clean it by dislodging any food chunks or build-up inside your garbage disposal. Combining ice with vinegar or rock salt can also be effective. If you want to cover up bad odors coming from your disposal, then try grinding orange or lemon peels.
Garbage disposal maintenance
If you regularly follow the above cleaning tips and avoid putting anything you shouldn’t in your garbage disposal, then it should stay pretty well maintained. However, if your garbage disposal stops working properly, then you should call a plumber to inspect and repair it. DIY garbage disposal repairs can be dangerous.
Having problems with your garbage disposal or kitchen plumbing? Contact us today for plumbing installations, maintenance, and repair around Lewisville, Clemmons, and Winston Salem, NC.