Garbage disposals get clogged from time to time depending on what goes into them. If you have a garbage disposal in your sink, then you know that it is very useful for getting rid of food waste. However, if you put too much into the garbage disposal or if you put things into it that it can’t handle, then it will become clogged. There are a few ways to unclog a garbage disposal, but
How To Clean Your Garbage Disposal
The normal kitchen workhorse is the garbage disposal. Food waste is sucked away, the flat drink is slurped up, and in general, they help make houses a bit less wasteful and a little more eco-friendly.
When your garbage disposal starts to smell bad, you may be tempted to clean it out with a plunger. Don’t do this—the blades will get jammed and the sink clogged. We’ll show you how to fix an overflowing or smelly garbage disposal by following these steps:
Flush It Out With Water First
This will help to remove any loose food waste, dirt, or grime. Plugging the hole to your trash disposal and filling the sink until there are roughly 3 inches of hot, standing water is the best method to achieve this. Remove the plug, add some dish soap, and swirl it around so it can flush through the disposal’s pipes. Hot water is required because it will dissolve any grease or other material that has accumulated within the pipes.
Once this is complete, do the following steps:
- Turn off the water supply before beginning work.
- Remove any large objects in the sink that could obstruct your tool’s path down into the drain.
- Gently insert a thin long flathead screwdriver under one of four rubber flaps at either end of each blade (1). Work around each flap until loosened enough for removal (2) without damaging anything else; remember not to force anything as things can break easily!
When all four are removed, use them like gloves from which you’ve removed thorns; cover up exposed parts on both sides while continuing along the length of each blade with pliers or needle-nose pliers. The tips should now lift free from their sockets allowing easy access for cleaning below.
Before replacing them wipe everything dry inside with paper towels or air-dry overnight if possible, otherwise, let everything sit outside where there is plenty of fresh air circulation so they don’t rust back together again when wet.
Place new seals over existing ones and replace rubber sleeves wherever necessary and tighten screws securely once more.
It’s not difficult to maintain your trash disposal in good operating order. First and foremost, understand what should not be thrown down the trash disposal.
Fibrous materials, coffee grounds, liquid grease, bones, fruit pits, or eggshells are all examples of fibrous materials. All of these items may dull blades, produce blockages, and overall make your trash disposal less efficient.
After That, Put Some Ice Cubes And Salt Down The Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are a common appliance found in most homes. They are used to dispose of food scraps and other waste that would otherwise be left on the counter or in the sink. To clean your garbage disposal, you can use ice.
This may seem to be an unusual step, but believe us when we tell it works. Turn on the disposal after you’ve put 2 cups of ice and 1 cup of salt in it. It’ll be noisy, but don’t be alarmed; it’s all part of the process.
During this procedure, turn on the faucet and let the water flow to help remove sludge and other debris from the inside walls of your disposal. Grinding ice has the extra benefit of sharpening your trash disposal blades, which improves their overall effectiveness.
You Should Now Clean It Well
Let us begin by emphasizing that you should never put your hand into your trash disposal. To physically clean the inside walls of any leftover dirt, we suggest using a long-handled scrub brush or an old toothbrush. You may do this with simply water or with additional dish soap if you want to be really thorough. Rinse it off with water afterward, just like the previous procedures.
Voila! Your trash disposal is now in good working order. If you want to go the extra mile to freshen up the appliance, toss some citrus peels or essential oils inside and run it for a more invigorating aroma.
If you need to, contact an expert if you need trash a disposal installed or if you have a blockage that won’t go away.
The “garbage disposal cleaning hack” is a quick and easy way to clean your garbage disposal. The process is simple, just pour hot water and ice into the drain until it runs clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you deep clean a garbage disposal?
A: To deep clean a garbage disposal, you should pour the cleaning solution in slowly until it overflows out of the drain. You can then use this to scrub down other surfaces like sinks and toilets. If you need more help with how to deep clean your garbage disposal, please contact an experienced plumber!
How do you clean a garbage disposal that smells?
A: You can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to bring the smell back down.
Does a garbage disposal need to be cleaned out?
A: No. Garbage disposals are self-cleaning, so they do not require any routine maintenance or regular cleaning.
Your garbage disposal could be working fine, but your toilet may be another matter. Find out more on that topic in Are Flushable Wipes Really Safe to Flush?
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