How to Get Rid of a Nasty Garbage Disposal Smell

We put kitchen sinks through a lot: cooking, dirty dishes, food particles. Knowing that, it makes sense that all sinks would be clogged with what we put down them. Luckily, that’s not the case, because many kitchen sinks are equipped with garbage disposals that keep food going down smoothly. They are attached to the underside of the sink so that once food is washed down the drain, it only takes the flip of a switch to grind and rinse it away. This convenient add-on makes cleaning sinks much easier in our everyday lives, but sometimes garbage disposals can come with their own stinky consequences.

The Importance of Garbage Disposals

Food scraps are bound to end up down the drain of every kitchen sink. That’s why garbage disposals were created: to grind food into small particles that can pass through plumbing systems without trouble. When turned on, the food is shredded into tiny pieces that can easily be washed down the pipes. Without garbage disposals, we would have clogged kitchen sinks every week.

What causes a garbage disposal smell?

Some of the scraps that are rinsed down sink drains can be truly disgusting. That garbage disposal smell may very well be a mix of dinner from everyday last week, combined with soap, mildew, and mold. These items are prone to having a strong odor on their own, so it’s no surprise that when combined, you’ll notice a bad smell wafting around the whole house from time to time.

Sometimes, the food scraps can get caught where they aren’t meant to be. That could mean on the outer edges of the disposal or under the rim of your outer sink drain. It’s also possible that your disposal may not be working as well as it should be, either from old age or other causes. When food isn't being ground up as it should be, it becomes easier for the drain to clog and stink. And sometimes, the smell is not related to your garbage disposal at all and may be the result of an underlying error found deeper in your plumbing. If that’s the case, you’ll need the assistance of a professional plumber.

How to Get Rid of Garbage Disposal Smell

If a stinky situation has cropped up in your kitchen, there are a few things you can do. Oftentimes, you may be able to solve the problem on your own. Garbage disposals have been around for a long time, and in that time people have come up with DIY fixes for a garbage disposal smell that actually work and could save you money. Before seeking the help of a professional, try out some of these ideas. These solutions are all great options because they incorporate the use of common household materials and not harsh chemicals, which can deteriorate pipes.

DIY Cleaning Concoction

This first method involves the use of white vinegar and baking soda, two things you likely already have in your kitchen cabinet. Vinegar has often been used for cleaning around the home. Its acidic nature is what helps to remove grease and grime without the chemicals, while the baking soda helps dissolve dirt and remove stains. It also has a gritty texture that can be helpful for scrubbing. Why not try these two natural cleaning agents together in your smelly kitchen sink?

To use this method, you’ll need half a cup of baking soda and one cup of white or cleaning vinegar. Add the baking soda to the drain followed by the vinegar and watch the magic happen. The fizzy reaction that happens between the two is a result of the acidic vinegar and basic baking soda. The longer that the solution sits, the better. After at least 20 min, you can run the disposal and rinse it with hot water. Feel free to try this whenever you have a stubborn clogged drain or dirty sink because vinegar and baking soda are relatively inexpensive to restock.

Citrus in the Drain

This next DIY garbage disposal cleaning method uses the natural power of citrus oil found in fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges. If you have one of these fruits around the house, even if it's getting old, this is a method that can still put your produce to good use. Slice the fruit into quarters, or smaller if your garbage disposal isn't very powerful. Run cold water down the drain as you grind the citrus fruit up using the garbage disposal. As an extra step, you can squeeze some of the juice down the drain and let it soak before adding the fruit and running water.

Because of its acidity, the citrus contained in the fruit can help to break down the grease that could be coating your garbage disposal and drain. The body of the fruit helps to wipe any grease and grime from the impellers of the garbage disposal. Not only does the fruit help to clean the garbage disposal, but it releases a strong and pleasant citrus scent to cover up the stink. This is a popular home remedy because it is all-natural. 

Try Using Ice and Salt

Ice and salt are two more materials that everyone is bound to have access to. Not only are ice and salt useful on their own, but they can also help to clean garbage disposals without chemicals or strong scents. First, start by pouring a good amount of ice cubes down the sink drain. Then, add salt on top. Run the disposal for five to ten seconds before turning on the hot water. After the ice is gone, allow the hot water to run for another 30 seconds to rinse any food and grime down the pipes.

The reason why ice works to clean sinks is because it scrapes the residue off the impellers. The salt can be added as an extra deodorizer for the bad smell. Larger salt particles may also aid in scraping the impeller clean, similar to how an exfoliant works.

Clean the Drain Opening

Old food can sometimes become stuck in crevices and around the edges of your drains above the garbage disposal. The water isn’t reaching that food, so you’ll have to do it manually using an abrasive sponge and dish soap. To prevent the garbage disposal from turning on while you clean, you can shut it down from the breaker box.

You’ll want to thoroughly scrub the inside of the drain using the sponge, but not go as far down as to reach the impellers of the disposal. Make sure to get under the baffle, or the black, rubber piece near the opening of your sink. Food can be flung up during the grinding process and become stuck under the baffle. You’ll also want to scrub the outer edges of the drain. Rinse your sponge often while cleaning because you’ll be picking up the food, mold, and mildew that may have been causing those horrible smells.

How to Prevent a Garbage Disposal Smell

So you never have to smell a foul odor in the first place, there are some precautions that can be taken to minimize the chances of a garbage disposal smell. When rinsing down food and scraps, run cold water down the drain before and after using the sink. Regular drain cleaning with a sponge will help to prevent any buildup and odors.

Also, certain foods are never meant to go down the drain. That includes anything very hard, such as peach pits, fibrous and stringy vegetables, oils and grease, coffee grounds, eggs shells, and potato peels. If you’re wondering whether it's safe to rinse something down the sink, to be safe you probably just shouldn’t. 

Other Causes of a Smelly Sink Drain

The garbage disposal might not always be the culprit of a smelly sink drain. If none of these solutions worked, it could be a problem further down the line that is causing the stench. The reasons can range from clogs to bacteria overgrowth to poorly installed plumbing. Whatever the issue, it may take more than a DIY job to resolve it. 

Call Plumb Works to Resolve That Persistent Garbage Disposal Smell

When a garbage disposal smell just won‘t go away, the problem is likely deeper in your plumbing. When DIY methods won’t cut it, you need the assistance of a professional plumber. Plumb Works can find the cause of the smell and put a stop to it. We also have extensive knowledge and experience with garbage disposals. Some of our services include garbage disposal installation and repair. For expert assistance with your sink or garbage disposal, schedule an appointment with one of our plumbers: 404-524-1825.