Using a garbage disposal cleaner is crucial in ensuring that the unit is working in perfect order. Much like other devices, the chances of the unit breaking down increases as the owner put off its cleaning or maintenance. The good news is that cleaning the garbage disposal unit doesn’t really take much time and effort on the homeowner’s part. Following are some of the things once can do to freshen up their unit.

Important Reminder!
It is OK to put one’s hand down the drain ONLY IF the garbage disposal is already unplugged. This is done to check if there are any objects down the drain that are not remnants of food. For example, a piece of plastic might be lodged in there, which would not be removed by simple cleansing. Again, make sure that the unit is UNPLUGGED and not merely switched off. For those who don’t want to take the chance, then simply proceed with the following cleaning methods without physically checking the bottom of the drain.

Baking Soda and Vinegar
The combination of baking soda and vinegar are often enough to get rid of the stuck items in the garbage disposal unit. However, the two shouldn’t be combined together. Instead, simply pour down around half a cup of baking soda down the sink before following it up with white vinegar. The amount of white vinegar should be twice the amount of baking soda so in this case, it should be around one cup. Now, cover the concoction using the drain stopper to eliminate airflow towards the mixture.

One should be able to hear the baking soda and vinegar join together in a chemical reaction. There would be a fizzing sound, which means that the two are already working together in eliminating the debris left inside. Let this run for around 3 to 5 minutes. Lastly, pour boiled water down the drain to wash off the mixture.

Ice Cubes, Baking Soda and Rock Salt
Stock up the disposal with ice cubes and top it off with around one cup of rock salt. The rock salt is meant to get rid of the dirt stuck on the wheels of the garbage disposal unit while ice cubes will ensure steady water flow. Add around half a cup or ¼ of baking soda and turn on the tap. Wait until all the ice cubes have melted before finishing the cleaning process.

Liquid Chlorine
One of the most popular garbage disposal cleaner, simply add a gallon of water to liquid chlorine and use this to clean off the garbage disposal. To do this, slowly pour off the solution through the drain until everything is gone. Don’t wash it off automatically and instead let it sit there for around 3 to 5 minutes. Finish off the process by using cold water to pass through the drain to wash off any remnants of the chlorine.

Garbage disposal cleaner use should be done routinely, perhaps once a month, to ensure that no dirt would be festering inside. Once the unit is left alone for long, individuals would usually smell something rotten coming from the unit, which is never a good sign. Don’t let it come to the point where the smell coming from the sink is no longer tolerable.