How often should I clean my garbage disposal?

Clean the disposal at least once a week. Effective methods include baking soda and vinegar, a diluted bleach solution, or ice cubes with citrus peels to clean the blades and freshen the smell.

Can grease cause garbage disposal odors?

Yes. Grease hardens inside drains, traps food particles, and creates strong odors. Never pour grease down the sink—dispose of it in a sealed container instead.

What should I do if the smell doesn't go away?

If weekly cleaning doesn’t eliminate the odor, there may be a deeper drainage issue or buildup in the pipes. Contact a licensed plumber to inspect and clean the system safely.

Why does my garbage disposal smell bad, and how do I fix it?

Q: Why does my garbage disposal smell bad?

Garbage disposals smell bad when food particles, grease, or bacteria accumulate inside the unit or drainpipe. Without regular cleaning, this buildup produces strong odors and can lead to clogs.

August 4, 2023

When a garbage disposal smells bad, it’s usually due to trapped food particles, grease buildup, or bacteria inside the unit or drain line. The good news: with a few simple habits and weekly cleaning, you can eliminate odors and keep your kitchen smelling fresh.

TL;DR

Odors come from trapped food, grease, and bacteria inside the disposal or drainpipe.
Never pour grease down the drain—it hardens, clogs pipes, and traps odors.
Clean the disposal weekly with baking soda + vinegar, diluted bleach, or ice + citrus peels.
Always run water while using the disposal to flush debris through the system.
If odors persist, a plumber may be needed to check for deeper drainage issues.

Garbage disposals are designed to pulverize and remove food waste. Without regular cleaning, trapped food particles can cause mold and bacteria to grow, making the air in your kitchen unhealthy – and stinky! Your drains can also become clogged with grease, adding to the problem. Here’s how to prevent grease and bacteria from building up in your disposal and drainpipe.

Don’t pour grease down your sink drain. You can pour grease into a disposable container and cover it and put it into the trash when it’s cool. If you have small amounts of grease, keep a small can in the kitchen and use it to store grease in until it’s full, and then put it into the trash. In Boston, residents can request a free grease can lid.

Wash your dishes with a detergent that breaks up grease, and use hot water.

While running your garbage disposal, always run water.

How often should the garbage disposal be cleaned?

You should clean the garbage disposal at least once a week to keep it free of bacteria and mold, using one of the following methods:

Baking Soda and Vinegar: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the kitchen drain. Carefully pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain on top of the baking soda. Place the drain stopper in the sink to close off the drain. If you have a double sink, do this for both drains. After a few minutes, pour a full teakettle of boiling water into the drain.

Water and Bleach: Using a clean container, mix a gallon of water with no more than one tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach. Do not use too much bleach—it will harden grease in your drains. Carefully pour the solution down the drain and allow it to sit for several minutes. Flush thoroughly with warm water.

Ice and Citrus Peels: Place several ice cubes in the drain and run the disposal to clean the cutting blades. Add citrus rinds for a fresh scent.

Important:

Always disconnect power to the garbage disposal before putting your hands anywhere near it. If bad odors persist, call a plumber to determine whether there is a more serious problem causing the smell. In the Boston area, McMahon Plumbing & Heating is on call 24/7 at 617-364-2200.

Categories: Plumbing