Natural Garbage Disposal Cleaner & Deodorizer

A clean disposal is essential in your kitchen. Learn about these natural garbage disposal cleaner methods that use simple household cleaning supplies you likely already have on hand!

I really appreciate practical yet easy methods to keep things clean!

Regular maintenance of your disposal system is very good for your kitchen and household environment as it reduces germs & odors!

Importance of Keeping Your Kitchen Disposal Clean

Taking care of your disposal also helps your plumbing. It reduces the chances of backups that lead to expensive repairs.

In this way, maintaining your kitchen disposal naturally is not just about cleaning; it’s a step toward a healthier home environment. WebMD even thinks this is a good idea!

Brief Overview: Natural Garbage Disposal Freshener  :

• Cleaning your food disposal naturally is an essential task that helps eliminate stubborn food scraps and unpleasant odors in your kitchen. Over time, residue can build up, leading to clogs and bacterial growth.
• To begin, gather your natural cleaning agents: ice, salt, baking soda and vinegar. These ingredients not only clean effectively but also fight off bacteria without harsh chemicals.
• For added freshness, you can toss in some citrus peels, such as lemon or orange. The natural oils in the peels provide a refreshing scent and further break down residue.
• Regularly maintaining your food disposal not only keeps it smelling fresh but also extends its lifespan by preventing clogs and buildup. Follow these steps to naturally keep your kitchen appliance clean and germ-free!
• In addition to freshening your kitchen, consider adding air cleaning plants and natural essential oil air freshening ideas to your home environment as well.

>Turn Off and Unplug the Disposal: word of caution

Before cleaning your food disposal, it’s crucial to prioritize safety.

With your disposal turned off, inspect to make sure nothing is in there like silverware or chicken bones before starting this simple cleaning process.

Always use tongs to push ice cubes into disposal, not your fingers!

If you have any major items to remove from your disposal, it is recommended to unplug the unit completely to prevent accidental activation.

As always, if your disposal is not working, then call your plumber or repair company.

Overview of How to Clean & Remove Odors from the Disposal

To keep your kitchen disposal clean, regularly remove debris. Small food particles can build up over time, causing bad smells and reducing efficiency.

A simple way to fix this is to grind ice cubes and salt through the disposal.

The ice breaks apart and cleans the blades while pushing out trapped debris, keeping your disposal fresh. The salt helps remove smaller particles. Then, add citrus peels to freshen.

The citrus peels, like lemon or orange, act as a natural cleaner and deodorizer. The acidity in the peels helps remove grime and adds a nice scent. Just cut the peels into small pieces and run them through the disposal with cold water.

These easy steps ensure your disposal stays in tip top shape, making cooking more enjoyable and extending the life of your appliance.

#1 Use Ice Cubes or Ice Chips and Salt for Grinding

Such a surprising yet efficient way to your cleaning arsenal are ice cubes. Many people overlook this simple remedy, but combining ice with salt can work wonders on both clogs and bad smells.

Here is what you’ll need:

Make sure the disposal is clear of debris and is turned off.

Add the salt and ice cubes to the disposal. Do not cram the ice cubes into the disposal; add just enough cubes or chips to fill the space and run for 30 seconds. Turn your kitchen faucet on with a slow stream of cold water to provide water for the disposal as it is running.

The ice helps clean the disposal blades as it grinds away debris, and any residual food particles that are dislodged by the abrasive nature of the salt.

Finally, add some lemon, lime or orange peels to the disposal and grind with a small stream of hot water.

This method not only cleans but might help to extend the life of your garbage disposal. Focusing on regular maintenance saves you time—and money—in the long run.

#2 Clean with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Another great and eco-friendly way to clean your disposal with baking soda and vinegar. This natural mix breaks down grime and removes odors, leaving your disposal fresh. 

Make sure the disposal is clear of debris and is turned off.

Start by pouring a cup of baking soda into the drain. Allow the baking soda to sit in the disposal for 10 minutes or so.

Next, add a cup of distilled white vinegar. The fizzing reaction between the two ingredients helps clear stubborn clogs and loosen residues and particles.

Let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Next, turn on the disposal and turn on the hot water at the same time to rinse and wash away any leftover particles.

Add the lemon peel and turn on the disposal with a small stream of hot water.

This method cleans effectively and is a safe alternative to harsh commercial cleaners. Using these common household items helps you maintain a clean kitchen while being eco-friendly. 

Add this cleaning routine to your weekly schedule for ongoing freshness you can feel really good about. And, for more cleaning inspiration, take a look at this helpful spring clean

#3 Freshen Up with Citrus Peels

Citrus peels, {which are often thrown away}, can make your kitchen disposal smell great.

Instead of tossing them in the trash, put orange, lemon, or lime rinds in your disposal while running warm water.

The natural oils from the peels get rid of bad smells and leave a nice citrus scent. The acidity in citrus also helps kill some bacteria in your disposal. This method cleans and deodorizes, which is important for any kitchen appliance that handles food waste.

For extra cleaning power, mix citrus peels with salt or baking soda before grinding. This boosts their cleaning ability and scrubs the inside of the disposal better.

Using these peels is eco-friendly and keeps your kitchen smelling fresh while making good use of this natural resources.

Simply put your citrus rinds in the disposal, turn hot water on to a slow stream and grind for 15 to 20 seconds. Rinse with hot water.

#4 Rinse Thoroughly with Hot Water Daily to Keep the Freshness

Rinsing your kitchen disposal with hot water is important for keeping it healthy. Hot water not only washes away food bits but also melts grease that can stick to pipes and blades.

This is important because fat can harden and cause blockages, reducing performance. 

Please note: do not pour fats, bacon grease or oil down your drain.

It is best to pour fats and oils into your kitchen waste paper basket. Pour the oil or fat into an absorbent material like paper towels, a box or some type of absorbent material.

Using hot water also boosts the effectiveness of cleaning agents like baking soda or vinegar.

Instead of just running hot water for a few seconds at the end, let it flow while you grind food. This helps push debris through more easily. 

Remember, you can also add citrus peels to make your disposal smell fresh. The natural oils and heat work together to remove stubborn particles.

Regular rinsing is not just about cleanliness; it helps prevent future clogs and bad smells.

Make all of these methods part of the Monthly Maintenance of Your Kitchen Disposal!

For more ideas on keeping a regular cleaning schedule, take a look at This Easy Cleaning Checklist!

Extra Step: How to Clean the Disposal Splash Guard

Make sure to also clean your disposal splash guard, which is at the top of your garbage disposal. This rubber barrier stops food from splattering back into your kitchen; it can get dirty over time.

To clean the splash guard area well, get some gloves, water, baking soda, and a scrubbing tool like an old toothbrush or other small brush. Lift the splash guard and scrub underneath using regular methods.

If your model has a removable shield, you can take it off for cleaning or put it in the top rack of your dishwasher for a deep clean.

Disposal Maintenance Tips: disposal cleaning solutions for longevity

Maintaining your kitchen disposal is important for its lifespan and performance. Doing a quick cleaning once a month helps keeps your disposal clean.

The ice, salt, vinegar and citrus peels help keep the blades clean, removes grease, and eliminates odors.

These methods improve how well your disposal works and helps prevent clogs, which reduces wear on the motor.

As always, be careful about what you put down the disposal. Avoid fibrous vegetables and bones, as they can damage the unit.

Again, regularly flushing the disposal with hot water really helps clear leftover waste and keeps the plumbing clear.

These natural garbage disposal cleaner methods create a healthier kitchen environment.

Finally, for an extra special yet quick monthly cleaning consider using all three methods at one time. Using all three methods helps insure a thoroughly clean disposal!

• Run the Salt and Ice through from method #1
• Next, use the fizzy method of the baking soda and vinegar
• Finally, add your leftover citrus peels to freshen your disposal.
• Do this once a month to reduce kitchen odors.

Conclusion: Easy & Natural Garbage Disposal Cleaner Methods

Taking care of your waste disposal unit cleaner is important for its cleanliness and its longevity. Regular maintenance can improve its performance and reduce bad smells.

Make it a habit to use these simple and natural common household staples to clean your food disposal naturally. These natural garbage disposal cleaner methods will help keep your disposal fresh and odor-free for a healthier home!

Pin It for Safe Keeping!