Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Garbage Disposal Cleaning Tips

Garbage disposals take a lot of wear and tear, and they can start to smell after a while. If the odors coming from your sink are unbearable, it's time to clean out your garbage disposal.

Removing Debris

    To remove debris from your garbage disposal, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda, followed by 1 cup of white vinegar, down the drain. The mixture will bubble and fizz, which means that it is working to clean out the disposal and the pipes. Wait several minutes, and then pour 8 cups of boiling water down the drain to wash away the mixture. This will remove the debris from the disposal. Do this every couple of weeks to keep your garbage disposal clean and functional. Although some swear by the alternative solution of pouring a bleach mixture down the drain, others warn that it may harm the disposal or the pipes.

Removing Odors

    Even after the garbage disposal is clean, odors may be left behind. To freshen the smell of your disposal, put several ice cubes down the drain along with the peels from citrus fruits, such as lemons, oranges or grapefruits. The peels will clean the blades of the garbage disposal and keep them smelling fresh.

Disposal Maintenance

    The best way to keep your garbage disposal clean is to maintain it correctly. Before running your garbage disposal, turn on the cold water. Then turn on the garbage disposal and slowly slide the garbage down the drain. Leave the water running for several seconds after you turn off the disposal. Do not put bones, glass or other hard materials down the drain, and try to toss most of your leftover food in the garbage. Run your disposal often rather than leaving rotting material down the drain overnight.

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