Note: This tip is not recommended for porcelain sinks.
To safely and easily clean out your garbage disposal:
- Measure out 1/2 cup of baking soda, and pour it down the garbage disposal.
- Measure one cup of white vinegar, and pour it down the garbage disposal.
- Allow the chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar to work for a minute.
- Pour a pot of boiling water down the garbage disposal, and allow it to sit for five minutes.
Turn on the cold water tap in the sink with the garbage disposal, then turn on the disposal to flush it out.
Watch the video above to see Joe’s Simple Solution.
Make sure to throw your egg shells in the garbage disposal. In addition, you can put a bucket of ice, 2-3 lbs, in the disposal. It is had and brittle and will clean your disposal. If it plugs with ice, leave it on and it will eventually drain.
Thanks, Jen, for the additional tip. I have heard that grinding up ice cubes will clean the disposer blades. And tossing in a few lemon or lime rinds helps kill odors, too. Thanks again and good luck!–Joe T.
Very good advice. I usually use an orange and/or grapefruit, cut into pieces, to clean and de-odorize my disposal but now I plan to use this technique followed by the citrus.
I just buy lemons when they’re on sale, freeze them, then when it starts to smell just toss one in, turn it on while running lukewarm water.
It also helps to occasionally run water into your other sink while the disposal is going as stuff sometimes gets in the pipe between the sinks.
The videos said that you poured boiling water down your drain, from my experience that will warp and melt any of the tubular piping that is usually under a sink. Bad idea! I replace many of these tubular piping systems because of this.
My advice is liquid soap, a half a cup of bleach and brush vigorously then wash with a full pot of water once a month.
Egg shells in garbage disposal? I was told by an expert years ago never to put bones, celery or egg shells…think I’ll have to Google this one…
Years ago, I (THINK) I had a disposal that the Splash Guard lifted out.
I like to know if one is available! Sure make it easier to clean.
Thanks, Jen, for the additional tip. I have heard that grinding up ice cubes will clean the disposer blades. And tossing in a few lemon or lime rinds helps kill odors, too. Thanks again and good luck!–Joe T.
The vinegar & Baking soda & hot water worked very well. thank you
My disposal is not stuck but it does not clean out when normal things are put into it. Potato peelings or orange peelings just cause it to back up and not clean out like it always has. Any sugestions??
Hi, Curt,
We don’t recommend placing potato peelings in garbage disposals.
Some foods don’t grind up easily, so this may be contributing to the problem.
Here’s more information: https://todayshomeowner.com/top-5-tips-to-keep-your-garbage-disposal-running-right/
Good luck!