A smelly garbage disposal is caused by a variety of things. Food scraps, grease, and even mold can all lead to an unpleasant odor coming from your disposal. If you notice a foul smell every time you turn on your garbage disposal, it’s important to clean it out as soon as possible. Otherwise, the problem will only get worse.
Do-It-Yourself Solutions
There are a few simple things you can do to get rid of a smelly garbage disposal. First, make sure you regularly grind up some ice in the disposal. This helps remove any built-up gunk that might be causing the odor. You can also try running lemon peels or vinegar through the disposal to help freshen things up. If the smell persists, you may need to call a professional to clean out your disposal.
Also, make sure you regularly clean your disposal. You can do this by running hot water and dish soap down the disposal once a week. You should also be scraping any food debris off the blades after each use.
Pouring baking soda and vinegar down the disposal and letting it sit for a while before running hot water down it also helps.
Safety When Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal
When cleaning your garbage disposal, it is important to take safety precautions. First, make sure that the power to the disposal is turned off. Next, put on gloves to protect your hands. Finally, be careful when reaching into the disposal. There are sharp blades inside that can cut you.
Other Garbage Disposal Cleaning Tips
Kalka Plumbing, Heating, & Air uses cleaning solutions containing natural enzymes to help with the odor-causing bacteria. Those enzymes eat the bacteria, leaving your disposal fresher smelling once used. These natural enzyme products can also be used in other drain areas, like the shower, where there may be bacteria-caused odors. Give Kalka a call for the best advice on cleaning your drains and garbage disposal when odors persist.
Did You Know Your Dishwasher Is Connected to Your Garbage Disposal?
Your dishwasher is actually connected to your garbage disposal. This means that any food scraps or grease that goes down your dishwasher drain ends up in your disposal. This can lead to a smelly garbage disposal if you’re not careful. To avoid this, make sure you scrape all food debris off your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. You should also run hot water down the drain for a few seconds after each use. This helps flush out any food that might be stuck in the pipes. If you have a garbage disposal, it’s important to take care of it so that it doesn’t start to smell.
If you have been careful about food scraps but the smell persists, call Kalka Plumbing, Heating, & Air, and they will take out the hose connection, clean, and disinfect it.
Ask a Professional to Help Clean Your Disposal
If you find that your garbage disposal is still smelling bad after trying some of these DIY tips, it may be time to call in a professional. A professional will be able to deep clean your disposal and get rid of any lingering odors. They may also be able to spot any other issues that could be causing the smell, such as a build-up of grease or mold. If you’re having trouble with your garbage disposal, it’s best to call in a pro for help.
Kalka Plumbing, Heating & Air is located in Irvine and services all Orange County residents and businesses for plumbing, heating, and air conditioning needs.
At Kalka Plumbing, Heating & Air, our goal is to offer the most reasonably priced plumbing and HVAC work in Orange County and the surrounding cities. Because we value our customers, we do everything we can to keep service costs down without skimping on quality. We also pride ourselves on serving our customers for almost three decades. If you’re in Irvine, Lake Forest, Laguna, Orange County, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Mission Viejo, or Laguna Hills, give us a call for all your plumbing, heating, and air conditioning needs! Find us online at www.kalkaplumbingheatingandair.com or by phone at (949) 458-6600.
