How to Clean a Garbage Disposal

Cleaning With Baking Soda and Vinegar, Ice, Citrus, & More

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0-$10

Learning how to clean a garbage disposal can keep your appliance fresh, odor-free, and working properly for years to come. When the disposal is in action, bits of food splatter on the sides of the inner chamber and under the rubber baffle and create odor and bacteria.

There are several options for freshening and deep cleaning a garbage disposal, including baking soda and vinegar, ice, and lemon peels. Here's how to clean a smelly garbage disposal.

Illustration showing how to clean a garbage disposal

The Spruce / Paige McLaughlin

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • kitchen sponge with an abrasive side
  • sink stopper
  • rubber gloves (optional)

Materials

  • dishwashing liquid
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 cup vinegar
  • water
  • ice cubes
  • 1 cup rock salt

Instructions

materials to clean a garbage disposal
The Spruce / Lacey Johnson 

How to Clean a Garbage Disposal With Dishwashing Liquid, Baking Soda, and Vinegar

  1. Turn Off the Power

    Unplug the disposal from the outlet under the sink, or turn off the disposal's breaker in your home's service panel (breaker box).

    person turning off the power switch to the garbage disposal
    The Spruce / Lacey Johnson 
  2. Clean the Baffle

    Place a few drops of dishwashing liquid on the abrasive side of a kitchen sponge. Scrub thoroughly under the rubber disposal baffle and around the drain rinsing the sponge frequently to remove the gunk.

    person inserting a soapy sponge into the garbage disposal
    The Spruce / Lacey Johnson  
  3. Clean the Grinding Chamber

    Use the soapy sponge to scrub around the top of the grinding chamber, rinsing often.

    Repeat until the sponge pulls up no more gunk and the disposal's surfaces feel clean.

    person scrubbing the inside of a garbage disposal
    The Spruce / Lacey Johnson  
  4. Add the Baking Soda and Vinegar

    Pour one-half cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal and then slowly pour one cup of vinegar into the disposal. If you have a double sink, add the same amounts to both drains.

    Tip

    As natural cleaning products, baking soda, and vinegar won't damage the garbage disposal like harsher chemicals can. However, due to its acidity, excessive vinegar use can wear down the rubber components of a disposal system over time. This method is best saved for when your garbage disposal needs a deep cleaning.

    person pouring baking soda down the garbage disposal
    The Spruce / Lacey Johnson 
  5. Cover the Drain

    Place the sink stopper over the drain opening to contain the fizzing mixture. If you have a double sink, cover both drain openings.

    person covering the drain with a stopper
    The Spruce / Lacey Johnson 
  6. Flush the Disposal

    Wait at least 10 minutes to give the cleaners time to work. Restore the power to the disposal, remove the stopper(s), and flush the disposal with hot water while running the garbage disposal.

    flushing the garbage disposal with water
    The Spruce / Lacey Johnson 

How to Clean a Garbage Disposal With Ice and Rock Salt or Vinegar

  1. Add Ice

    Fill the disposal with ice cubes. The ice helps to scrape the inside of the grinding chamber, dislodging any buildup.

    adding ice to a garbage disposal
    The Spruce / Lacey Johnson 
  2. Add Salt or Vinegar

    Pour one cup of rock salt or vinegar into the disposal.

    pouring vinegar down a garbage disposal
    The Spruce / Lacey Johnson 
  3. Run the Disposal

    Run the disposal for several seconds with the water turned on to grind up the ice.

    flushing the garbage disposal with water
    The Spruce / Lacey Johnson 

How to Freshen and Deodorize a Garbage Disposal

One method to freshen a disposal is to add citrus peels and ice cubes, turn on the cold water, and run the disposal for 30 seconds.

If the natural cleaning products didn't remove all of the odor, treat the garbage disposal with a diluted chlorine bleach solution. Never use undiluted bleach because it can damage disposal components.

Wearing rubber gloves, mix two-thirds cup of warm water with one-third cup of liquid chlorine bleach. Pour the solution down the drain and run warm water for 30 seconds to flush the solution through the drain, garbage disposal, and trap.

pouring citrus peels down a garbage disposal
The Spruce / Lacey Johnson 

How Often to Clean a Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals generally do a good job of cleaning themselves but over time, a stinky slime builds up over the areas that the disposal's grinding action doesn't scrub.

These areas include the underside of the rubber baffle at the drain opening and the smooth, sloped area at the top of the grinding chamber. Weekly cleaning can keep the garbage disposal clean and free of smells.

Maintenance Tips to Keep Garbage Disposals Clean

To keep your garbage disposal running smoothly, follow these best practices:

  • Don't attempt to grind a lot of food waste at once. 
  • Know what shouldn't go into a garbage disposal, such as large pits, coffee grounds, stringy vegetables, and bones.
  • Avoid pouring cooking grease and oil down the drain, as it can harden and clog the disposal.
  • Run water when using your garbage disposal to thoroughly flush out the food waste.
  • Run the disposal until you no longer hear it breaking up any food—and then keep it running just a few seconds longer to allow it to clear small food particles.
FAQ
  • How do I get rid of the build-up in my garbage disposal?

    Turning off the power to prevent an accident, use an abrasive sponge and dishwashing liquid to scrub the inside of the disposal chamber and under the baffle. Finish the cleaning process by combining baking soda and vinegar and flushing the disposal well.

  • How do you clean a garbage disposal without removing it?

    There is no need to remove a garbage disposal to clean it unless there is a severe clog in the drainage line. Simply use household products and a bit of scrubbing to clean the inside chamber and outer components.

  • Will baking soda and vinegar unclog a garbage disposal?

    Baking soda and vinegar will help loosen small clogs that cause a slow-draining disposal. However, they will not dissolve large clogs caused by bones or excessive waste in the disposal. Unclogging will require manual removal of blockages from the grinding teeth or drain line.