If your garbage disposal still smells bad after cleaning, it's likely due to trapped food particles, grease, or debris in hard-to-reach areas. These lingering odors can make your kitchen unpleasant, even after what seems like a thorough cleaning. A persistent bad smell from your garbage disposal may indicate deeper issues that require attention, such as buildup in the disposal or drain pipes.
Potential Source of the Smell in Your Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is a hardworking kitchen appliance. It breaks down food waste and keeps your kitchen running smoothly, but food particles can get trapped in areas you can't easily reach over time. These leftover bits of food start to rot, creating a foul smell that lingers no matter how often you clean the visible parts. If your garbage disposal smells like sewage, it's usually a sign that something is stuck or decaying deep inside the unit or its pipes.
But it's not just rotting food that can make the garbage disposal smell bad. Grease, fat, and oils that solidify in the pipes can trap food particles, making the smell worse. Even cleaning the sink and disposal with soap and water might not be enough because the real problem lies out of sight.
Why Does My Garbage Disposal Smell Even After Cleaning?
You may be cleaning your disposal regularly, yet your disposal still stinks. That bad smell can persist if food particles are stuck in hard-to-reach areas like drain pipes or disposal blades. Over time, bacteria feed on these bits of organic matter, creating strong odors that permeate your kitchen. That's why disposals smell bad even when you think you've done all the proper cleaning steps.
Rinsing out the disposal or running water through it isn't enough to eliminate the smell. Instead, you must dig deeper and use effective methods to target the odor at its source.
Common Reasons Why Your Garbage Disposal Stinks
Food Trapped in the Disposal: Small food particles can easily get trapped in the disposal or pipe system, causing a foul smell from garbage disposal as they decay.
Grease and Fat Buildup: Grease can harden inside the pipes, trapping food and causing bacteria to grow, which results in a garbage disposal odor.
Clogs in the Drain Line: A clog in the drain line can cause a backup, leading to unpleasant smells from the disposal.
Dirty Splash Guard: The rubber splash guard in your disposal can become coated with grime and food residue, contributing to the smell coming from garbage disposal.
How to Get Rid of Your Garbage Disposal Smell
So, how do you get rid of the unpleasant odor from your garbage disposal? Fortunately, there are several effective methods to eliminate the smell and keep your kitchen smelling fresh.
1. Deep Clean the Disposal
To fix the issue, you must thoroughly clean the garbage disposal's inside. Here's how to get rid of the garbage disposal smell:
Unplug the Disposal: Always disconnect the disposal from the power source to avoid any accidents while cleaning.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar: Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. This combination helps break down any organic material and eliminates bacteria that cause odors. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing with hot water.
Scrub the Rubber Splash Guard: The splash guard is often the culprit of persistent smells. Use a toothbrush and dish soap to scrub underneath the rubber flaps where food debris frequently hides.
2. Flush with Boiling Water and Dish Soap
Flustering the system with hot water is a great way to clear out any grease buildup and lingering food particles. Run the hottest water possible and add a few drops of dish soap to help break down fats and oils.
3. Use Ice and Salt to Scrub the Blades
This trick not only helps clean the blades but also sharpens them slightly. Fill the disposal with ice cubes and coarse salt, then turn on the disposal while running cold water. The ice scours the blades, while the salt helps clean the sides and remove stubborn food particles.
What to Put in Your Garbage Disposal to Eliminate Odor
If you are wondering what to put in your garbage disposal to eliminate the smell, plenty of natural remedies exist. Citrus peels, such as lemon, orange, or lime, neutralize odors and leave your kitchen smelling fresh. Drop a few peels into the disposal, run cold water, and turn it on. The citrus oils help break down residue and mask any foul odors.
You can also purchase garbage disposal cleaning pods, which dissolve in the unit and clean it from the inside out. These pods contain essential oils and biodegradable ingredients to help keep your disposal fresh between cleanings.
How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal from Smelling
Once you've successfully removed the odor, the next step is learning how to keep your garbage disposal from smelling in the future. Here are a few tips to ensure you're staying ahead of the problem:
Run Cold Water After Each Use: Always run cold water for at least 30 seconds after using the disposal to flush out any remaining food particles.
Avoid Putting Grease Down the Drain: Grease is one of the main contributors to garbage disposal smells. Dispose of fats and oils separately rather than pouring them down the sink.
Regular Maintenance: Clean your disposal with baking soda and vinegar monthly and scrub the blades with ice and salt every couple of weeks.
How to Prevent Your Garbage Disposal From Smelling
To prevent the problem from coming back, focus on maintaining your garbage disposal. Sometimes, the solution is simply more frequent, deeper cleanings, while other times, you might need to take extra precautions to avoid clogs and buildups. Keeping your garbage disposal clean and functioning properly will ensure that it doesn't stink again.
Call a Professional for Persistent Odor from Garbage Disposal
If you've tried everything and your disposal still smells bad, it might be time to call in a professional. A plumber can assess whether the smell is due to a more serious issue like a clog or a problem with your drainage system. In rare cases, sewer gasses can escape through the disposal if there's an issue with the plumbing, leading to that unpleasant garbage disposal odor.
Get Rid of that Garbage Disposal Smell and Keep Your Kitchen Fresh
Whether from rotting food or grease buildup, a stinky garbage disposal can make spending time in the kitchen less enjoyable. However, with the proper cleaning techniques and maintenance routine, you can say goodbye to those odors for good. Next time you wonder why your disposal stinks, remember that a little effort can go a long way in keeping your kitchen smelling fresh and clean. Try these methods today to fix your garbage disposal smell and keep your kitchen free of odors in the future.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Garbage Disposal Fresh
Regular maintenance and deep cleaning are essential to prevent garbage disposal from smelling. By understanding the causes of the odor and using the proper techniques to clean your disposal, you can keep your kitchen smelling fresh and free of foul odors. Next time you notice a smell, take action immediately to avoid more significant problems.
If all else fails, don't hesitate to contact one of our professional plumbers at Dalmatian Plumbing, who can help you resolve any underlying issues with your garbage disposal.
