Keeping a kitchen clean and nice-smelling does not only entail “cleaning as you go” as chefs tell their protégés, although that certainly helps; instead, other possible sources of bacteria or foul odors should be considered, and the garbage disposal is one of the culprits for these. In addition to cleaning up your kitchen daily and cleaning out the fridge regularly, the garbage disposal also needs its share of being cleaned and freshened up. Essentially, the garbage disposal pulverizes and removes kitchen waste from food products, but the truth is food particles still tend to get trapped inside it and the kitchen drainpipe. This makes for a great environment for bacteria and mold to breed, resulting in many ugly odors and an unhealthy environment overall. The following cleaning agents and suggested ways should give you a better grasp of how to clean out your garbage disposal and get rid of these unwanted bacteria breeding grounds:

  • Baking soda and vinegar – These kitchen staples have always been hailed for its cleaning properties, and for garbage disposals, it is no different. First, pour a half cup of baking soda into the kitchen drain. Right after that, pour in a cup of white vinegar into the drain, too. Close the drain off by putting the drain stopper into the sink; for double sinks, do this for both. The baking soda and vinegar mixture will make fizzing sounds. While this happens, boil water in a full teakettle or a medium-sized pot. Then, pour the boiling water down the drain.
  • Chlorine bleach – This is another common cleaning agent used for kitchens and bathrooms. For your garbage disposal, mix one tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach into a clean container with one gallon of water. Then, slowly and carefully pour this solution down the drain, leaving it to settle for a few minutes. After a few minutes, flush the drain out by running the tap for a few minutes.
  • Ice cubes – You can clean the cutting blades of your garbage disposal by making it grind ice cubes. You can do this by placing a few ice cubes into the drain and grinding them.
  • Citrus fruits – The rind from citrus fruits are an excellent choice for adding a bit of nice scent to any area. You can do this by adding rinds to the drain, whether those of oranges, limes, lemons, or grapefruits.
  • Dishwashing detergent – You can use this for daily cleaning to keep your garbage disposal in excellent shape. Pour a bit of dishwashing detergent into the sink and run some tap water in order to form suds. Turn the garburator on and let the soapy water flush through the unit. This helps clear most of the stuck-up debris from the unit. Continue running cold water for about one minute after the food has been cleared by the disposal unit. This is effective at pushing the food waste down as far into the drain as possible. After the water has flowed through, stop the unit, take out the screen and clean it by scrubbing with an old toothbrush.