A garbage disposal can take a fair bit of abuse, but the equipment may develop problems if people are too careless with it. One problem many homeowners and apartment dwellers encounter is the smelly disposal, which occurs when the equipment isn't kept clean or when certain types of food substances are put down this drain. Follow some strategies to keep your disposal smelling clean and fresh.
Be Generous With Water
Run lots of water when the disposal is operating. Without plenty of water, small bits of ground food can become stuck in the disposal, where those particles turn rancid and stink. You definitely don't want meat, seafood, eggs, and potatoes rotting away in your sink drain, as those tend to be the worst offenders.
Keep the Grease Away
Wipe oily pans and plates with paper towels before washing them in the sink. Then use dish washing detergent with excellent grease-busting ability. If you're not careful about grease in the sink, it can gradually accumulate and congeal in the disposal, leading to unpleasant odors and a clogged drain pipe.
Clean Those Flaps
With the disposal shut off, add some dish washing soap and water to the drain and gently clean the flaps with a nonabrasive brush. Do this once every week. The undersides of the flaps can get pretty slimy over time, just as the bottoms of drain traps do if never cleaned.
Grind Citrus Rinds
Include plenty of citrus fruit in your diet and grind up the rinds in the disposal for a fresh aroma. This is a great excuse to add more oranges, lemons and limes to your daily menu and get the benefits of vitamin C and other nutrients these fruits provide.
Load in Baking Soda
Pour in 1/2 cup of baking soda into the disposal whenever you start to smell unwanted odors there. Allow it to sit for a few hours, then run the disposal with water.
Freeze That Vinegar
Freeze white vinegar in an ice cube tray. Once a week, toss a couple of cubes into the disposal and grind up the ice. The hard cubes sharpen the blades while the vinegar kills bacteria and eliminates any mold that may be starting to develop.
Never Deal With a Smelly Disposal Again
Implementing these strategies will keep your disposal clean and smelling fresh. Garbage disposals usually don't require much attention as long as you treat them properly. If any problems do occur that you can't resolve on your own, call a plumber like Advanced Service Plus Plumbing for assistance.
