Garbage disposals enable us to quickly dispose of food waste in a hygienic manner by grinding it up and flushing it down the toilet. However, garbage disposals can occasionally experience issues, one of which is the presence of an unpleasant smell, just like any other appliance. Do you know why does garbage disposal smell?
The buildup of food waste and particles, improper cleaning and maintenance practices, the presence of foreign objects in the garbage disposal, and clogs or blockages in the pipes are just a few of the causes of these bad smells.
You are not the only one if you have noticed foul smells coming from your garbage disposal. It is a frequent issue that most people deal with at some point. In this article, we’ll examine the various factors that contribute to garbage disposal odors and offer advice and fixes for mitigating and getting rid of them. You can maintain the functionality of your garbage disposal and keep it smelling good by adhering to these instructions.
Why Does Garbage Disposal Smell?
Here are some common reasons why does garbage disposal smell:
The Buildup of Food Particles and Waste
Over time, food particles and waste can gather inside the garbage disposal’s grinding chamber and emit a bad smell.
If you don’t run the disposal often enough, the food scraps might not get ground up and washed away as they should. Furthermore, if you flush too much food waste at once, it may overwhelm the disposal and cause waste to accumulate.
Lack of Proper Cleaning And Maintenance
If the garbage disposal is not cleaned frequently, it can turn into a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms, which can cause a bad smell. Cleaning your disposal on a regular basis will keep it smelling good.
To do this, either run hot water through the disposal and clean it with a cleaner or grind up citrus peels or other odor-masking foods and run them through the disposal. The disposal must be properly lubricated in order for it to operate effectively. If the disposal isn’t lubricated, it might grind up food waste noisier and smellier.
Objects In The Garbage Disposal
Sometimes, small objects like utensils, bottle caps, and other objects can get stuck inside the garbage disposal. These items may cause the disposal to malfunction and produce a smell.
Pipe Clogs or Blockages
If the pipes connecting the garbage disposal to the rest of the plumbing system clog or block, it may result in a waste backup and foul odours.
It’s crucial to refrain from pouring inappropriate materials down the drain, such as grease or fibrous materials, to prevent this. Furthermore, using cold water when operating the disposal can aid in the solidification of grease and oil, lowering the possibility of clogs.
How To Remove Bad Smell From Garbage Disposal?
After knowing why does garbage disposal smell, it’s time to remove its smell. Follow these methods to completely remove the smell from the garbage disposal.
Run Cold Water
Any accumulated food particles that might be causing a smell can be flushed out by running cold water through your garbage disposal.
Use cold water instead of hot water whenever possible because hot water can cause grease and oil to solidify, which can cause clogs. Simply turn on the cold water faucet and run the water through the garbage disposal until it runs clear to use this technique.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
The garbage disposal smell can be eliminated naturally and effectively by mixing baking soda and vinegar. Make a paste by combining vinegar and baking soda in equal amounts to use this technique.
Apply the paste inside the garbage disposal, then wait a few minutes before using it. Then, turn on the cold water faucet and pour water into the garbage disposal until all of the paste has been removed. This will aid in clearing out any accumulated food debris and leave your disposal smelling good.
Use Lemon Juice
Lemons are a natural deodorizer, and chopping them up and running them through your garbage disposal can help cover up any smell.
Simply quarter a lemon and put the pieces in the disposal to use this technique. To let the citrus smell permeate the entire appliance, turn on the disposal and let it run for a few minutes.
Use Freeze Vinegar
In order to get rid of bad smells and accumulated food particles, you can freeze vinegar in ice cube trays and grind the frozen cubes in your garbage disposal.
Simply pour vinegar into ice cube trays, then freeze the cubes to use this method. When the disposal is running, add a few of the frozen vinegar cubes to it. Cold vinegar will aid in clearing any food debris from your disposal and leave it smelling good.
Use ice Cubes
Ice cubes can be ground in your garbage disposal to help break up any accumulated food particles and get rid of any unpleasant smell.
Simply put some ice cubes in the disposal and turn it on to use this technique. The ice will assist in cleaning the interior of the appliance and removing any unpleasant odours.
Use Commercial Cleaners
A quick and simple way to get rid of smells and maintain a fresh disposal smell is to use commercial garbage disposal cleaners.
Most home improvement stores carry these products, which are made especially to clean and deodorize garbage disposals. Simply use the product according to the directions on the packaging.
What Can I Use To Remove Bad Smell From My Garbage Disposal?
Lemon juice
Lemon juice works as a natural deodorizer to get rid of disposal smell. Simply cut a lemon into wedges, put them in the garbage disposal, and rinse it out with a short burst of cold water.
Baking soda
Baking soda can be used as a natural deodorizer to get rid of unpleasant disposal odours. Simply pour a small amount of baking soda down the garbage disposal, followed by a brief rinse with cold water.
Garbage Disposal Freshener
There are a number of products available on the market that are intended to freshen up garbage disposals. These items are typically liquids or tablets that are intended to be dropped into the garbage disposal and rinsed out with cold water.
Vinegar
Another natural deodorizer that can be used to get rid of the disposal smell is vinegar. Simply combine vinegar and water in an equal ratio in a spray bottle, then pour the concoction down the disposal. Prior to rinsing it with cold water, let it sit for a few minutes.
Garbage Disposal Cleaner
There are also a number of products available on the market that are intended to clean and deodorize garbage disposals. The majority of these products are liquids or gels that are meant to be poured into the garbage disposal and cleaned out with cold water.
Why Does My Garbage Disposal Smell Even After Cleaning?
- Food particles may become stuck in the garbage disposal and rot because of worn or damaged blades, giving off an unpleasant smell
- A bad smell could be the result of a buildup of grease or oil in the disposal.
- There might be a blockage in the pipes leading to the disposal or in the disposal itself, causing food and waste to get stuck and rot and produce a bad smell.
- The garbage disposal might be outdated and in need of replacement, which would make it less effective and give off a bad smell.
- A crack or leak in the pipes, the disposal, or both could let waste and water out, giving off a bad smell.
4 Important Steps To Prevent Garbage Disposal Smells
- Regular cleaning and maintenance: Cleaning and maintaining the disposal on a regular basis is one of the best ways to stop smells coming from the garbage disposal. To do this, either run hot water through the disposal and use a cleaner or deodorizer after each use or grind up citrus peels or other smell-masking foods in the disposal. The disposal must be properly lubricated in order for it to operate effectively.
- Avoid disposing of certain items in the garbage: Grease, fibrous foods, and other substances shouldn’t ever be put down the garbage disposal because they can smell bad and clog the machine. It’s crucial to be careful about what you flush down the drain in order to avoid these problems.
- Use cold water when running the disposal: Use cold water when operating the disposal to help solidify grease and oil, which lowers the likelihood of clogs and unpleasant smell. In order to flush food waste through the pipes more effectively, it’s also usually advised to run the disposal while the water is running.
- Use a disposal freshener or deodorizer: If your garbage disposal is giving off foul odours, using one of these products can help mask the smell and keep your disposal smelling fresh. For this purpose, a wide variety of commercial products are offered, or you can make your own freshener by pulverizing citrus peels or other fragrant foods.
Final Words
The buildup of food particles and waste, improper cleaning, and maintenance practices, the presence of foreign objects in the disposal, and clogs or blockages in the pipes are just a few of the causes of unpleasant garbage disposal bad smell. It is crucial to routinely clean and maintain the disposal, avoid flushing specific items down the drain, use cold water when running the disposal, and take into account using a disposal freshener or deodorizer to prevent these bad smell.
There are solutions available if your garbage disposal is emitting foul odours. These include taking apart and cleaning the grinding chamber, using a plumbing snake to clear any obstructions, and replacing the disposal if it is damaged or old. You can maintain the functionality of your garbage disposal and keep it smelling good by adhering to these instructions.