How To Clean And Maintain Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals (known as garburators in Canada) can make disposing of food scraps simple, but they’re often neglected in cleaning routines. Regular cleaning of your garbage disposal is essential to prevent bacteria and odor build-up.

We recommend cleaning your garbage disposal monthly and we have a few options to keep it fresh and smell-free. 

Safety First: If you plan on putting anything inside the unit (hand, scrub brush etc.) be sure to turn off the power first! There may be a switch or plug on the unit under the sink, or you can turn it off directly at the breaker. 

One way to clean your garbage disposal is to use a store bought product designed specifically for that (USA) (Canada). Use the directions on the package. 

When you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission. 

Cleaning your garbage disposal using at-home ingredients:

Save some money and use products you already have at home! This method is simple and it works:

1. Sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda into the garburator and let it sit for 10 minutes to soak up any odors. 
2. Pour in a cup of white vinegar and let it react. 
3. Once the bubbles die down after a few minutes, pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain and turn on the garburator to clear out any leftover residue. 
4. Repeat the process if there are still smells present.
5. (Optional): Once the disposal has cooled down, you can use a soapy sponge or scrub brush to scrub the interior walls of the unit, then rinse. Make sure there is no power to the unit BEFORE placing your hand in or around the unit.

Cleaning the rubber splash guard:

The rubber splash guard around the drain needs to be cleaned as well. Rubber can absorb smells and food debris can build up here.

• Most of these rubber guards are removable. Use your scrub brush to gently pull it out from the drain. If it is not removable, flip the rubber up to clean it. 
• Spray the guard with Clorox® Clean-Up (USA) (Canada).
• Scrub it and rinse well. 
• If your splash guard is removable and has an odor you can soak it in a bowl of vinegar for extra smell removal.

Avoiding food build-up and smells:

In between cleanings, you can do small things to prevent build up and smell in your garbage disposal:

• Use plenty of cool water every time you use the unit. Hot water can liquify oils and fats, causing them to stick to the blades. Cold water can also prevent the unit from overheating.
• For a quick clean, pour a splash of bleach down the drain followed by cool water to rinse.
• Avoid throwing certain foods like egg shells, pits, and anything too tough down the garburator. A good rule of thumb is that you should only put down bite-sized food you can chew, and avoid fibrous vegetables (like celery). No non-food items either, please.

Just like everything in your home, maintenance is important. With regular upkeep, you can avoid having a smelly garbage disposal ever again! 

To clean the rest of your sink, see this article. 

Georgia @GoCleanCo