IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Everything you need to know about cleaning your garbage disposal, according to pros

Get rid of garbage disposal smells and grime on the blades with these easy tips.
Woman spraying water in her sink
An easy way to remove food buildup on the blades is to place frozen orange and lemon peels in the disposal and grind them up, according to Leslie Riechert. Vivian Le/ TODAY
/ Source: TODAY

The garbage disposal is handy, but cleaning it isn't much fun. The thought of putting your hands into that smelly no man’s land sounds terrifying (mainly because you shouldn't ever put your hands down there!), but there's no need to abandon this spring cleaning chore.

Green cleaning expert Leslie Riechert and Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, shared their best tips with us for cleaning garbage disposals safely.

How often to clean your garbage disposal | Signs that you should clean your garbage disposal | Do you have to empty a garbage disposal? | Foods to avoid putting in a garbage disposal | How to clean your garbage disposal | How to safely clean your garbage disposal by hand | How to clean a garbage disposal with baking soda and vinegar | How to clean a garbage disposal trap | How to get rid of garbage disposal smells | The best products for cleaning your garbage disposal

How often should you clean your garbage disposal?

Your garbage disposal works really hard (and can easily get stinky), so aim to clean it on a weekly basis.

Signs that you should clean your garbage disposal

It's not too hard to tell when your garbage disposal is ready to be cleaned. Mock says some telltale signs are bad odors, unusual noises when you run it and when it's generally not performing at its best.

Do you have to empty a garbage disposal?

"Yes, no matter what, food will get stuck in the garbage disposal," says Mock.

Garbage disposals can typically grind down foods on their own, however, it may help to cut large foods into smaller pieces before putting them in the garbage disposal.

What foods should you avoid putting in a garbage disposal?

Mock says to steer clear of fat, grease, oil, starchy foods like pasta, potatoes and oats; seafood shells, meat, bones and fruit pits.

How to clean your garbage disposal

When it comes to cleaning your disposal the first thing to know is that you should never, ever put your hands in the disposal, advises Mock. "Also never use chemical drain cleaners to clear a clog, which can damage your disposal and splash back onto you."

An easy way to remove food buildup on the blades is to place frozen orange and lemon peels in the disposal and grind them up. The oil from the citrus peels will help remove buildup while leaving behind a clean, fresh fragrance. No peels on hand? “You can also use a tray of ice cubes and 1/2 cup of baking soda to clear buildup from the blades,” Reichert suggests.

For maintaining the performance of your garbage disposal, Mock also recommends running it on a regular basis.

How to safely clean your garbage disposal by hand

To safely clean your garbage disposal blades, Mock says to first make sure you disconnect the power to the unit. This will prevent any accidents and make you less nervous so you can clean the disposal thoroughly!

Next, throw on a pair of rubber gloves and spray a paper towel with an all-purpose cleaner. Continue to wipe and replace with a clean towel until all debris is removed.

How to clean a garbage disposal with baking soda and vinegar

This classic powerhouse combo of baking soda and vinegar make cleaning your garbage disposal a breeze.

First, pour half a cup of baking soda into your garbage disposal.

Then, pour one cup of vinegar in.

Allow the mixture to bubble and sit for five to 10 minutes.

Finally, turn on the disposal with cold water and allow the mixture to flush through.

How do you clean a garbage disposal trap?

Need to clear out your garbage disposal trap? It may seem daunting, but you can definitely do it on your own! Here are Mock's tips to unclog and clean out your trap.

First thing's first, you’ll need to find your trap. Look for the P- or S-shaped pipe beneath your disposal’s drain trap.

Next, you’ll have to determine the style of your trap. If your P-trap doesn’t have a quick disconnect, you may need some channel-type pliers or channel locks. Similar to regular pliers, they include an extended adjustment section and angled jaw that allows them to grip pipes and plumbing parts of various sizes.

Grab a bucket, towel and tools. It’s not uncommon for water to spill out of the sink pipes when they’re disconnected, so it is best to make sure you are prepared to prevent a bigger mess. Then, place the bucket under the trap and, using your channel locks, disconnect the slip-nut fitting on the drain trap.

Remove the trap and check the pipe for clogs/obstructions, which are typically found in the bends of the trap. You may need a small scrub brush to dig out debris. (In the absence of a brush, a wire coat hanger may work.) If you don’t find a clog in the trap, it may be in the part of the pipe that disappears into the wall, or even in the pipes inside the wall. Clearing these pipes will require a drain auger, which is kind of like a snake but meant more for forcing out/breaking up debris.

Finally, reassemble the trap and run water through the disposal system for several minutes to clear any remaining debris through the pipes.

How to get rid of garbage disposal smells

If you have a nasty smell coming from the disposal, there could be two causes: the drain (the drain can be cleaned easily using the baking soda method outlined above) and/or the rubber splash guard.

How to clean the garbage disposal splash guard

Cleaning the rubber splash guard takes a bit more work, but it’s worth the effort. Slime and gunk that accumulate on the underside of the splash guard are a major source of odors and a breeding place for germs. To tackle the chore, you’ll need rubber gloves, an old toothbrush and hot, soapy water.

For removable splash guards: While wearing gloves, remove the splash guard, then scrub the top and bottom of the rubber guard with a toothbrush and soapy water. Rinse and replace.

For non-removable splash guards: While wearing gloves, first scrub the top side of the guard. Rinse. Then, lifting up the rubber guard a section at a time, scrub the underside of the splash guard until all slime and gunk are gone. Rinse!

The best products for cleaning your garbage disposal

Glisten Garbage Disposal Cleaner

We've written about these highly-rated scrubbing packets before! They're effective and satisfying to use, since the bubble up similar to cleaning with baking soda and vinegar.

Instant Power Disposal and Drain Cleaner

This handy liquid cleaner will clean, control odors and help clean out the drain without being as harsh as a pipe-clearing chemical cleaner.

Rubber Gloves

If you're cleaning anything grimy, you'll want to be wearing a good pair of rubber gloves. They're also much-needed if you're cleaning your garbage disposal by hand.

Aunt Fannie's Distilled White Vinegar

Baking soda and white vinegar together make cleaning your garbage disposal a snap!

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

Almost every area of your home can be cleaned using baking soda whether alone or combined with vinegar or something else, so why not stock up so that you always have it on hand?