Preventing Garbage Disposal Odors

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated February 5, 2024)

In my personal opinion garbage disposals are one of the greatest inventions and additions to any kitchen. I love being able to get rid of everything from a ruined meal to unwanted leftover's. This piece of kitchen machinery is absolutely great; that is, it's great except for when it's not. That usually only happens when some strange, usually nasty, odor begins to waft throughout the entire kitchen from the direction of the sink. Typically, when this happens most people (myself included) begin to curse the existence of the garbage disposal. Operating on the basis that it's better to prevent a problem from starting, then wouldn't it be a good idea to know how to prevent garbage disposal odors from beginning?

Preventing garbage disposal odors is a fairly simply prospect. All you need to really begin the prevention of these horrid smells is to know what is required of you. Armed with that information, all that is left is for you to put in a little effort to maintain what you have learned. Once you do that, you will find that the occasions for garbage disposal odors happening less frequently then ever before.

  • Smaller is better. When you are using your garbage disposal, be sure that you putting smaller portions of food, or other organic matter down the drain prior to turning it on. The larger the amount material there is in the disposal, then the more likely there is going to be a clog or some other kind of mechanical breakdown. Put a little down the drain (like a plateful) then turn it on.
  • Remove foreign objects. There are times when you are washing your dishes that something will fall down the drain into the disposal that does not belong there. Items like jewelry and silverware are commonly falling down the drain, but if you don't remove whatever it is before you turn the disposal on, you are running the chance of ruining the disposal blades or motor. When that happens you run the chance of having another type of mechanical breakdown, or some of the material not getting chopped up like it was supposed to.
  • Regular cleaning. Periodically—no more than once a week, and certainly no less than once a month—put some baking soda and vinegar down the garbage disposal and allow it to sit. Begin the process by first pouring about half a cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow this with slowly pouring half a cup of vinegar down the drain. Don't worry if you see some foam coming back up the drain, that's normal. Allow the fizzing action to stop, then simply turn on both the water and the drain to remove whatever is left.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Home Electrical Safety Inspection

It is always a good idea to periodically inspect your home to make sure that it is safe, this includes checking to make ...

Discover More

Dealing With Butter Stains

Butter is one of the more commonly used ingredients in cooking, and as such has a tendency to create a lot of stains. ...

Discover More

Figuring Out the True Cost of Car Ownership

On the average, when most people begin thinking of purchasing a new car they only really focus on the sticker price. A ...

Discover More

Keep Your Hardwood Floors Like New Bona's hardwood floor cleaner is the #1 choice of professionals. The no-residue formula is specially designed to be safe for floors, families, and the environment. Check out Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Refill today!

More Cleaning Tips

Removing Garbage Disposal Odors

Have you noticed that no matter how hard you seem to try, that there are some times when you just can't seem to prevent ...

Discover More

Removing Stains from Sinks

Stainless steel sinks can get stained, which can make your kitchen ugly and unhygienic. The color of the stain is ...

Discover More

Dealing with Grease Blockages

Kitchen sinks have a tendency to collect all sorts of nasty little things, such as grease, over time. Without proper care ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is five more than 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.