How to Clean your Garbage Disposal

I don't often think about cleaning the garbage disposal until questionable odors start coming from the sink. Then, it's time to get that sucker clean.

What you need:

Baking Soda
Ice cubes
Rock or Coarse Salt
Lemon or Citrus Wedges

First fill your sink with about 3 inches of warm water and add a cup of baking soda. Let your sink drain with the garbage disposal running.

Then, add an additional ¼ cup of baking soda to the drain to create a paste (I didn't add any additional water). I used an old toothbrush to clean the outside of the drain and the top and underside of the plastic rubber garbage disposal flaps. Rinse when clean with cold water while running the garbage disposal.

Next, put some ice cubes down the garbage disposal drain while running cold water along with the garbage disposal to clean any debris build-up on the sharp edges. Even better if you add homemade ice cubes made with vinegar or pure lemon juice.

Next add about a ½ cup of rock or coarse salt and run both the water and garbage disposal to continue cleaning the disposal blades.

Finally, you grind cut up pieces of lemon with the garbage disposal while running cold water to freshen the garbage disposal smell. I was so happy with my lemony smell!

Some Tips:

Only use cold water when you run the garbage disposal to prevent grease from getting liquid and then congealing further down in your pipes.
Don't ever pour grease down your garbage disposal. Keep old cans or containers on hand to store and get rid of grease.
Be familiar with the types of items that can and can't go down your garbage disposal. I learned the hard way several years ago not to put potato peels down the disposal. It took a lot of work on my part to get rid of those (pouring boiling water down and running the garbage disposal finally worked).