How often are we supposed to clean a garbage disposal? Periodical cleaning should be performed but most people don’t do it regularly or simply don’t think about it. We typically decide to clean a garbage disposal when we start catching a funny smell coming from it or when we notice fruit flies in our kitchen. Usually, well-maintained garbage disposals that are used properly auto-clean themselves. Also be careful not to drop your utensils in the drain! Even with appropriate maintenance, garbage disposals can break down. The following tips will help you keep your kitchen smelling fresh, your drain working properly and should help you help control the fruit fly extent.
Regularly Clean the Machine
Garbage disposals are usually made of a cylinder made of metal, equipped with impellers. In recent or even fancier models, your garbage disposal will also include grinders either on the sides or at the bottom. These grinders’ purpose is to grind the food you are disposing into tiny pieces. These pieces can even become a thick sludge. Even with integrated grinders, the small chunks can get caught in your drain.
There are many objects and material that are not supposed to go down your garbage disposal that end up doing so, such as: utensils, glass, metal, rubber objects, or hard food (shells, pits or large bones). If they are stocked in the garbage disposal, you’ll have to remove these types of items from the inside but please make sure the power is off before putting your hand in there. Items going down the machine and getting stuck will start causing a smell because of bacteria. You can take them out using these two tricks:
- Turn off the power, preferably at the breaker box and use something like a pliers to try picking out the pieces stuck.
- Turn the power back on and if objects are still trapped when you try to run the garbage disposal, pour two cups of ice cubes in the drain followed by either a cup of rock salt or a cup of vinegar. Then, turn the garbage disposal back on. The combination of ice and rock salt or vinegar can help rid the sludge or debris and they will eventually get down the drain.
The drain line that leads to the garbage disposal needs to be purged periodically. To purge it, plug your drain with its plug and fill the sink with about 3-4 inches of water. Remove the drain plug while simultaneously turning on the garbage disposal.
Use Citrus
Purging citrus, such as lemons, limes and oranges, helps cleaning your garbage disposal while also helping to make your kitchen smelling fresh! You should get a fresh smell right away. The citric acid from the peels will kill bacteria while deodorizing your disposer.
These are all things for you to consider and try but if you are having a problem with your garbage disposal or any of your appliances. Of course, if you need help or a service call, you can call us and book an appointment. We will send you a qualified appliance repair technician, even for this small kitchen appliance.
