How To Clean Garbage Disposal 🧽 The Complete Homeowner’s Guide

Garbage disposals make life easier — until they start to smell or clog. Learning how to clean garbage disposal units properly will keep your kitchen fresh and your system running smoothly.

A dirty disposal isn’t just smelly — it can shorten the life of your unit if ignored. Regular cleaning is quick, simple, and saves you costly repairs.

Why cleaning your garbage disposal matters

Your garbage disposal grinds food scraps, but over time grease, soap scum, and food particles stick to the walls and blades. This leads to:

• Foul odors

• Slower grinding

• Clogs and backups

• Higher risk of mechanical failure

Cleaning prevents buildup and makes it easier to fix garbage disposal problems before they become expensive repairs.

How to clean garbage disposal step by step

Here’s the safe, effective way to deep clean your unit:

1. Turn off the power – Always unplug or switch off the circuit breaker.

2. Remove visible debris – Use tongs or pliers (never your hand).

3. Flush with hot water – Run a stream for 30–60 seconds.

4. Scrub the splash guard – Lift the rubber flaps and scrub with an old toothbrush.

5. Deodorize naturally – Drop in half a lemon and a handful of ice cubes, then run the disposal.

6. Baking soda and vinegar rinse – Pour ½ cup baking soda, followed by 1 cup vinegar. Let fizz for 10 minutes, then rinse.

Pro Tip: Ice cubes not only deodorize — they sharpen the disposal blades as they grind.

For guidance on cleaning other tricky household spots, check our detailed tutorial on how to remove paint from concrete.

How often should you clean a garbage disposal?

• Weekly: Quick rinse with hot water and lemon.

• Monthly: Deep clean with baking soda, vinegar, and ice cubes.

• Seasonally: Inspect and scrub the splash guard.

Keeping this schedule means you’ll rarely need to wonder how to fix garbage disposal issues caused by neglect.

Troubleshooting: When cleaning isn’t enough

Sometimes odors or clogs point to mechanical issues. Here’s what to try:

Problem	Likely Cause	DIY Fix
Disposal won’t turn on	Tripped breaker / reset	Press reset button or check breaker
Humming but not grinding	Jammed flywheel	Use Allen wrench in bottom slot to turn
Slow draining	Clogged drain line	Try a plunger or snake
Persistent odor	Deep buildup in splash guard	Manual scrub with degreaser

Knowing how to reset garbage disposal is key. Most units have a small red reset button on the underside — press it after clearing jams.

How to fix garbage disposal problems

If cleaning doesn’t solve it, you may need to go further:

• Unjamming blades – Insert an Allen wrench into the flywheel slot under the unit, turn to free it.

• Replacing splash guard – Worn guards trap gunk and odors.

• Checking wiring – If it still won’t start, confirm the unit is plugged in and wired correctly.

For similar troubleshooting, see our guide on bathroom drain odors — often the same principles apply.

How to install a garbage disposal

If your unit is beyond repair, replacement may be the best option. Installing a new disposal involves:

1. Turning off power and water.

2. Disconnecting drain lines and mounting assembly.

3. Wiring the new unit.

4. Securing it to the sink and connecting drains.

Most homeowners can handle this with the right tools, but pros ensure safe wiring and proper seals.

Installing a new disposal is often cheaper than repeated repair calls on a failing unit.

When to call a pro

Call a plumber if:

• Your disposal trips breakers repeatedly.

• There are leaks at the base of the unit.

• You hear grinding metal sounds.

In many cases, replacing the unit is more cost-effective than constant repairs.

For cost breakdowns on other home systems, see our concrete coating pricing guide.

Final thoughts

Learning how to clean garbage disposal keeps your kitchen safe, odor-free, and reduces the need for constant fixes. Combine regular cleaning with occasional inspections, and you’ll extend the life of your unit while avoiding nasty surprises.

If your disposal won’t reset, keeps clogging, or simply won’t run, it’s time to explore how to fix garbage disposal or even how to install a garbage disposal if replacement is needed.

FAQ

How to clean garbage disposal quickly? Run hot water, add ice cubes with lemon, and flush with baking soda and vinegar.

How to fix garbage disposal that hums? Use the Allen wrench slot under the unit to free a jammed flywheel.

How to reset garbage disposal? Press the red reset button located at the bottom of most units.

How to install a garbage disposal? Disconnect power, remove old unit, attach new mounting assembly, wire, and connect drains.

Is cleaning or replacing better? Cleaning works for odor and buildup, but leaks or motor issues usually mean replacement.