Are there funky and unusual odors in your kitchen? Do they seem to be coming from your sink area? Chances are you need to clean out your garbage disposal. While these devices are extremely handy for grinding up unwanted food items, they do need to be cleaned from time to time to get rid of built-up debris and bacteria.

We are going to offer you three options for alleviating bad odors in your disposal's interior, as well as some tips for cleaning the interior and exterior of your disposal.

No more bad odors!

Get rid of that disgusting odor in your kitchen by utilizing one of these cleaning techniques that can bring a clean, fresh scent to your kitchen sink area.

1. Crush Odors with Ice

Ice helps eliminate smells. All you have to do is pour two cups of ice into the disposal and turn the disposal on. Not only will the ice help clean the disposal and get rid of odors, but it also helps sharpen the blades in the process.

2. Get Citrusy

Citrus is known for neutralizing bad odors, so fruit such as lemons, oranges, or limes can be the perfect antidote for your disposal. Cut the fruit into wedges, put it into the disposal, and run cool water with the disposal on. Additionally, the rinds will help clean the grinders, while leaving a citrus scent behind.

3. Bleach It

A mild or diluted bleach will kill bacteria and odor, but it will not leave behind the pleasant aroma that citrus does. Be careful not to pour too much bleach into the disposal unit, because if there is any grease present inside the disposal, it can cause it to harden, making removal of the grease difficult.

Take time to clean your entire disposal.

When it comes to garbage disposals, watching what you put in them and neutralizing odors are not the only items involved with keeping a well-maintained unit. It is also important to periodically clean the inside of your disposal system.

Clean Your Drain

Baking soda and white vinegar are a good combination for cleaning out the drain! Pour in half a cup of baking soda and then add one cup of vinegar, wait for it to foam, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, run your hot water faucet to flush out the drain.

Clean the Inside of Your Garbage Disposal

WARNING: Make sure your unit is unplugged and disconnected, before sticking a hand or tool into the garbage disposal. Contact a plumbing company, like Curtis Plumbing, if you need professional cleaning assistance with your garbage disposal. Using a toothbrush, or wire brush, and a pair of gloves, carefully clean the inside of the garbage disposal, to remove food particles that built up over time.

Keeping your garbage disposal clean, preventing bacteria from growing, and not allowing the blades to become dull are all a part of routine maintenance that will help ensure the unit's longevity! Call (813) 672-4111 to speak about receiving professional help with cleaning your garbage disposal.