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Essential Tools and Supplies for Cleaning a Garbage Disposal

How to Clean a Smelly Garbage Disposal: Step-by-Step Instructions

Tips to Help Keep Your Garbage Disposal from Smelling

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  2. Maintain

How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal: A Step-by-Step Guide

3 min readUpdated Aug. 02, 2024Terry MehilosKitchen Appliances
How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal: A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to Sears Home Services, your trusted source for home maintenance advice and guidance. In this guide, we’ll show you how to clean a garbage disposal effectively. Cleaning your garbage disposal not only eliminates unpleasant odors but also extends its lifespan. We’ll also provide some expert tips on avoiding garbage disposal odors. Let's dive right in!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Follow our expert tips to effectively clean your garbage disposal and eliminate kitchen sink odors.
  • Use Affresh garbage disposal cleaner as a simple solution for this task.
  • Trust Sears Home Services for expert advice to keep your garbage disposal and all your home appliances in top shape.

Essential Tools and Supplies for Cleaning a Garbage Disposal

Knowing how to clean a garbage disposal involves a few necessary tools and supplies. You also need to ensure your safety with the right protective gear and cleaning solutions. Let's have a look at what you need:

How to Clean a Smelly Garbage Disposal: Step-by-Step Instructions

Regularly cleaning your garbage disposal ensures its proper function and longevity. Here's how to clean a smelly garbage disposal effectively:

Step 1: Safety Measures

Follow these steps to safely prepare for garbage disposal cleaning:

  • Turn off and unplug the garbage disposal unit.
  • Avoid putting your hands or objects in the disposal. Use tongs or pliers instead.
  • Wear protective gloves to safeguard your hands.

Step 2: Clean the Splash Guard

The rubber splash guard tends to collect lots of food residue and grease deposits. Clean it thoroughly with an old toothbrush or scrubbing brush and dish detergent. Don’t neglect to scrub the underside of the splash guard, to remove any grease, debris or slime. Wipe the splash guard down with a cloth or sponge.

Step 3: Clean the Garbage Disposal

Restore electrical power to the garbage disposal and follow the steps shown in this YouTube video to clean the garbage disposal using Affresh cleaner:

Use Affresh garbage disposal cleaner monthly to keep your kitchen sink smelling fresh and the garbage disposal working efficiently.

Tips to Help Keep Your Garbage Disposal from Smelling

Follow these usage tips to help keep your garbage disposal from smelling:

  • Avoid disposing of fat, grease, and oil through the garbage disposal. These items can clog the disposal and sink – leading to smells.
  • Only use your garbage disposal to grind organic food waste. Avoid grinding disposing of fibrous vegetables and starchy foods, which can clog the appliance. Don’t put bones or coffee grounds through the disposal as they can cause blockages.
  • Run water when using the disposal to help prevent clogs and odors.
  • Don’t pour boiling water down the disposal.
  • Avoid putting large amounts of food waste down the disposal at once to prevent clogs and residue buildup.

Run your garbage disposal daily to prevent smells, rust and corrosion. Avoid using harsh chemicals or bleach to clean the disposal, which can damage the unit and cause smells. Instead, use the Affresh garbage disposal cleaner recommended above.

Trust Sears Home Services for reliable advice for your kitchen and home appliances. With our recommended products and DIY solutions, you can learn how to keep all of your appliances in top shape and working smoothly. Rely on us for all of your household needs.

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Regular kitchen appliance maintenance can help prevent costly breakdowns, reduce energy costs and extend the life of your appliances. We'll help you keep your refrigerator, dishwasher and range in top shape.

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Glossary Terms

Wattage is the measure of electrical power expressed in watts (W), indicating the rate at which a device consumes energy.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel used primarily for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It's a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting mainly of methane, but it also contains smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and sometimes sulfur compounds.

A washer screw is a fastening device that combines a screw and a washer, designed to distribute the load of a screwed fastening more evenly and to prevent the screw from loosening under vibration.

A voltage meter, commonly referred to as a voltmeter, is an instrument used for measuring the electrical potential difference, or voltage, between two points in an electrical or electronic circuit.

Common Appliance Symptoms

The most common reasons your Whirlpool washer won't stop filling are a clogged water valve, a bad water-level pressure switch, or a malfunctioning electronic control board.

The most common reasons your Whirlpool washer won't spin or drain are a seized gearcase, a broken motor, or a failed door switch.

The most common reasons your Whirlpool washer won't turn off are a malfunctioning electronic control board, broken motor or a jammed door lock assembly.

The most common reasons your Whirlpool washer won't start cycle are a malfunctioning electronic control board, jammed door lock assembly or a faulty user interface.

The most common reasons your Whirlpool washer vibrates are a damaged suspension rod, malfunctioning electronic control board or a dead fan.

The most common reasons your Whirlpool washer is experiencing the rinse cycle not working are a broken lid switch, a bad water-level pressure switch, or a malfunctioning electronic control board.