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How to Properly Clean a Garbage Disposal

March 20, 2019

Whitton Plumbing Shows You How To Keep Your Mesa Garbage Disposal Clean

A clean garbage disposal is a must have in your home as it can help prevent bad smells and keep the drains from clogging. It is important to know how to clean your garbage disposal properly so that there are no traces left that can attract pests and also give of awful smells and make it even harder to clean in the future. When you stand over your sink and get whiffs of a foul odor it's probably time to do a little preventive maintaince and cleaning. If you aren't able to fix the issue you call Mesa plumbing contractors to help with your garbage disposal replacement. It is important to perform a cleaning at least once a month (over every other week if needed) to keep your garbage disposal clean and free of foul smells. Below are ways to effectively clean your garbage disposal.

Garbage Disposal Replacement In Mesa Arizona

What Are The Best Ways To Clean A Mesa Garbage Disposal?

WARNING: Always unplug the disposal from power before cleaning or performing any maintaince! The "off" switch is not good enough. Disconnect the power. Always!

1. Scrubbing With A Sponge

Garbage disposals are specially made to keep the drains flowing clean by grinding up the food debris into smaller pieces to prevent the food from clogging up the drains and rotting or turning bad to give off bad smells. The food, however, might leave traces behind which can in areas which do not get scrubbed by the grinding part of the disposal. Thus, there is a build-up of slime from these areas which can give off bad smells.

The Most Effective Way To Clean A Garbage Disposal

One of the most effective ways to clean a garbage disposal is to use a kitchen sponge with soap or a small soft tipped brush with a long handle with detergent and thoroughly scrub all creases and folds of the garbage disposal. It is very important to clean the undersides of the rubber baffle at the drain opening and the smooth, sloped area at the top of the grinding chamber as these are the areas that mostly get slimy and cause the very bad smell that comes from the drains. Cleaning these key areas can be enough to prevent the foul smell from the drains. Do take precautions and turn off the drains completely before cleaning and try not to put your hand further down the drains to the grinding teeth to prevent accidents.

2. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar is a great and effective combination for cleaning your garbage disposal and removing all slime and bad smells. You can pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal, then slowly and carefully also pour 1/2 cup of vinegar into the disposal. This will cause the mixture to fizz up and the fizzing should be trapped in the disposal with a stopper for a couple of minutes. After some minutes, the stopper should be removed and the disposal flushed with hot water. This will completely clean out the disposal and keep it from smelling bad.

3. Vinegar or Rock Salt with Ice

Pouring Ice into the disposal followed by vinegar or rock salt helps clean out your garbage disposal by helping to scrape the inside of the grinding chamber, dislodging any buildup. The ice is poured into the disposal followed by the vinegar or rock salt and the disposal is run for a few seconds with the water turned on. This is quite effective in cleaning the disposal. Here is a video on how a garbage disposal works:

Do I Need A Mesa Plumbing Expert?

If the above does not solve the problem it’s time to call in an expert plumber. For problems with garbage disposals and drains, it is best to call a plumbing expert to help you out. You can visit https://www.whittonplumbing.com/service-area/arizona/mesa/ to check out the best plumbing company in the city of Mesa.


 


Whitton Plumbing

49 N Mesa Dr

Mesa, AZ 85201

(480) 291-1111


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Whether it's sinks, toilets, showers, faucets, water heaters, pipes or drains that need cleaning, repairs or installation, we've got you covered.