Prepare your kitchen for the holidays by eliminating the
garbage disposal smell emanating from your kitchen sink.
A garbage disposal is a kitchen appliance used to grind or
break up kitchen waste such as food scraps small enough so you can wash them
down the drain. Although the machine is very efficient when it comes to
disposing of unwanted food wastes, it can sometimes develop an offensive smell
that will linger throughout your kitchen. The garbage disposal smell is caused
by rotting or decaying food lying around the appliance’s cutting blades or the
drainpipes connected to it. Learn what can be done to rid your kitchen of this
horrible garbage disposal smell.
Rinsing or Flushing with Clean Water
Simply rinsing the garbage disposal with hot water while it
is running is sometimes enough to eliminate the odoriferous problem. The hot
water washes the decaying food particles and scraps out of the appliance and
its drainpipes and into the sewer. This should be practiced after each time you
use your garbage disposal.
Rinsing or Flushing with Soapy Water
Filling the sink with hot, soapy water and allowing it to
drain while running the garbage disposal provides a more thorough cleaning. A
quality grease-cutting dish detergent helps to cut through the grease and food
attached to the disposal blades and pipes.
Scrub-a-dub-dub
Often, the rubber flap around the disposal drain as well as
its rubber stopper needs a brisk cleaning. A stiff, nylon brush and some
all-purpose kitchen cleaner make quick work of this task. It doesn’t hurt to
clean around the sink drain openings as well.
Deodorizing the Appliance
Baking soda is one of mankind’s finest inventions. The
all-purpose powder is used in more applications than just about anything.
Pouring about 1/2 cup of the miraculous powder into your garbage disposal along
with 1/2 cup of vinegar will eliminate most odors emanating from it. The
solution should be allowed to sit in the disposal for approximately one hour
before applying a thorough rinse with clean water.
Professional Cleaning
When these simple, home remedies fail to rid your kitchen of
a nasty garbage disposal smell, it might be time to call in a professional
plumber. Over longer periods, food particles can harden and encrust the cutting
blades of your disposal. No manner of rinsing or flushing with hot water and
soap will loosen them. It takes a stronger cleaning solution and hours of
soaking to remove them from the blades. After disconnecting the garbage
disposal drain, a plumber will cap the outlet tube on the disposal to prevent
it from draining. A cleaning solution is poured in and allowed to sit for
approximately one hour or more. The drain is reconnected and the disposal is
flushed with clean, hot water.
Dunwoody residents of the greater Atlanta metro area seeking
additional expert advice regarding garbage disposal smells and service should
contact Reliable Heating and Air. Reliable Heating and Air will handle the
funky smells coming from your garbage disposal. They know your home should
smell of balsam and cloves over the holidays, not week-old veggies.