Why Cleaning Matters

• Over time, food debris builds up on the splash guard and inside the disposal, causing unpleasant odors.
• Regular cleaning keeps your garbage disposal fresh and extends its lifespan.

1 Steps to Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Gather Ingredients: Ice cubes, baking soda, lemon slices, and bleach.

Step-by-Step Cleaning:
- Step 1: Turn off the disposal and add 6 ice cubes, 1 tbsp baking soda, 3 lemon slices, 1 tsp bleach, and 6 more ice cubes.
- Step 2: Turn on the disposal (no water) until grinding stops.
- Step 3: With the motor still running, flush with cold water for 30 seconds.

Clean the Splash Guard: Scrub it with warm water and baking soda, or place it on the top rack of the dishwasher.

2 What Not to Do

• Avoid commercial garbage disposal cleaners: Many are ineffective and may damage metal parts.
• Never use chemical drain cleaners or lye: These can corrode the disposal.
• Do not reach into the disposal: Even though it lacks sharp blades, impellers can still cause injury.

3 Tips for Everyday Use

• Always run cold water:
• Before turning on the disposal.
• During food grinding.
• For 7 seconds after grinding stops to flush particles completely.
• Proper water flow ensures that food debris clears the disposal and pipes, reducing clogs and odors.

4 Prolong Your Disposal’s Life

• Be mindful of what goes in: Avoid fibrous foods (e.g., celery) and grease.
• Flush thoroughly: A final water flush after turning off the disposal helps remove food particles from the P-trap (drainpipe).
• With proper care, disposals can last 8–10 years or more.

Final Takeaway: A clean and well-maintained garbage disposal ensures a fresh-smelling kitchen and prevents costly repairs or replacements.

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