Have you ever been greeted by a fishy smell from your kitchen sink? Chances are, your garbage disposal is causing the foul sink odor. Sarah’s Appliance Repair is here to teach you how to clean your garbage disposal properly.
If you’re dealing with a stinky garbage disposal, first, it is possible that a clog may be the source of the stink.
What Can Cause a Clogged Garbage Disposal?
There are a few main causes for a clogged garbage disposal.
- Food particles
- Adding too much too quickly
- Foreign objects that are not food entering the disposal
- Forgetting to wash away leftover waste.
How To Unclog Your Garbage Disposal
Manually Remove Clog
The first thing to do is to look inside the disposal to see what is causing the clog. Make sure to unplug your disposal before beginning. Use a flashlight and use a pair of pliers or tongs to locate the clog in your disposal. Repeat this process until you remove any gunk from the disposal.
DIY Treatment
Another method to unclogging your garbage disposal is by creating a DIY solution from baking soda and vinegar. This combination can help break down food particles and does double duty by cleaning your disposal in the process.
Wooden Handle
Put the wooden handle inside the garbage disposal from the kitchen sink drain. Place the handle on top of or next to the blade in the disposal and move it back and forth until the blades can move in both directions. Then, remove any loose gunk with the pliers or tongs we discussed earlier in this article.
Cleaning Your Disposal
An important thing to remember when keeping your garbage disposal in tip top condition is making sure to keep your unit clean. Here is one of our favorite DIY cleaning solutions that will make your disposal smell fresh and free of any residue.
Lemon and Ice
Make sure the disposal is switched off and/or unplugged to avoid any injury. Next, cut a fresh lemon into small wedges and be careful to remove any seeds. Place the lemon wedges into an ice cube tray and fill it with water, allowing the lemon-infused ice cubes to freeze. Once frozen, turn the disposal back on and drop several lemon ice cubes into it. Turn on the cold water in your sink and then run the garbage disposal for a few seconds, allowing the ice to grind away any debris while the lemon freshens and deodorizes.
Repeat this process with more lemon ice cubes if necessary. Finally, rinse the disposal with cold water to wash away any remaining residue and enjoy the fresh citrus scent lingering in your kitchen.
Call an Appliance Repair Expert
At Sarah’s Appliance Repair, we have seen it all when it comes to clogged garbage disposal. With our expertise, we can get your garbage disposal up and running again! Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled repair technicians.
The post How-To Unclog and Clean Your Garbage Disposal appeared first on Appliance Repair New Mexico.