The garbage disposal is a wonderful invention. It makes it so easy to get rid of all the food scraps that used to have to be thrown out in the trash. However, there is one problem with this device: It smells bad.
When you accidentally dump some old food into your garbage disposal, and it starts to smell like death incarnate, you don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how exactly that happened.
You need an easy way to get rid of that bad smell ASAP.
Well, we’re here for you. This article will give you the best tips for removing the bad smell from your garbage disposal, so you can get back to what’s important: living your life! Moreover, we’ll tell you when to call a Garbage Disposal Installation or replacement expert in Clermont, FL.
Reasons For Smelly Garbage Disposal
Smelly garbage disposal is the worst.
We all know the smell of a nasty garbage disposal. It’s like someone left a rotting corpse in your kitchen sink, and it’s wafting through the air.
If you’ve ever had a smelly garbage disposal, then you know how bad it can get. But why does it happen? And what can you do about it? We’re here to help!
Here are some reasons for smelly garbage disposal:
You didn’t run enough water.
When you put food down the drain and then turn on the garbage disposal, there should be enough water to cover all that food and any other gunk that might be stuck in there (like hair). If there isn’t enough water, then some of that food will get stuck on top of the blades and start to rot and stink up your sink or even back up into your pipes. So make sure you use plenty of water when using your disposal!
Food waste buildup.
Ever noticed that a lot of food waste gets stuck in the drain? That’s because it’s not getting broken down properly, which means it can’t get flushed or pushed out of the way by water. So it just sits there, decomposing and making everything smell gross.
Infrequent use.
If you don’t use your garbage disposal regularly (at least once a week), the garbage will build up inside the pipes and smell bad. This is especially true if you’re using a lot of oil-based foods like mayonnaise or salad dressing, which can build up quickly on even stainless steel surfaces.
Hard-to-dispose-of items
Sometimes, you just don’t have the right tools for the job. Maybe you’re trying to dispose of a block of cheese, and it’s just too big to fit down the drain. Maybe you want to get rid of some leftover meat from last night’s dinner, but there’s no way that’s happening without being ground up first. In any case, if your garbage disposal smells like rotting food, this is probably what’s going on!
Fats, oils, and grease
Garbage disposals can get clogged by greasy foods—like bacon grease or cooking oil—that make their way down into the drain line and back up into the sink area. These fats can lead to odors and clogs in the drain system that will cause problems with your sink and make it difficult for water to flow freely through your pipes.
Disposing of too much stuff at once
If you’ve been tossing all your kitchen waste into your garbage disposal at once—or if you’ve got another appliance connected to your disposal—it might be struggling to keep up. The solution? Don’t overload it! Keep only small amounts of waste in the disposal at once, and ensure it’s not too wet or greasy.
Malfunctioning appliance
Most people don’t think about their garbage disposals until they start smelling bad, but there could be an issue with yours that needs attention. A faulty switch or a bad motor can cause these smells and other problems like leaks or clogs in the pipes under your sink.
Blocked drain line
It’s possible that something has found its way down your drain line, causing it to clog and back up into your garbage disposal. If this happens, you may notice foul odors coming out of the drain in the kitchen or bathroom sink.
Old or Worn Out Disposal
Another reason for bad smells coming out of your sink maybe because it’s old or worn out. As garbage disposals get older, they start breaking down and don’t work as well anymore. You may notice that food doesn’t grind up as well or that water takes longer than usual to go down the drain. This creates more buildup inside the disposal unit itself, which can cause it to smell bad when you run water through it again later on down the line!
Poor installation
When a plumber installs your garbage disposal, they should make sure that all the connections are watertight. If there’s any leakage from the sink or drains, then the smell will spread to other parts of your kitchen and be difficult to remove.
What not to put in the garbage disposal?
You might think it’s a waste of time to read this. You’ve been using your disposal for years, and you know what gets ground up and what doesn’t. But here’s the thing: you might be surprised by what can get stuck in there, and that would be bad news if you suddenly had to call a plumber.
So before you go ahead and pour that leftover spaghetti sauce down your sink, take a minute to read through this list of things you should never put down on your garbage disposal:
Bones
Bones are hard and have sharp edges, which can damage your pipes and sink. Also, bones can get stuck in the blades of your disposal, causing them to jam up and stop working properly.
Fibrous vegetables
You know how it is when you’re trying to get through a tough carrot or celery stalk—they can wrap around the blades and grind into them, causing them to dull or even break off.
Pasta and rice
While these foods are great for use in cooking, they do not break down quickly enough to be disposed of in your garbage disposal. They also tend to clog up your pipes, so don’t try it!
Grease and oil
Grease and oil create clogs in your garbage disposal, which can cause damage to the pipes and drain. Plus, it just smells awful.
Eggshells
Eggshells are not your friend. They may be small and innocuous, but they can cause the pipes in your garbage disposal to become clogged. Eggshells are made of calcium carbonate, which is a mineral that dissolves in water. It’s also what causes limestone deposits to build up on the inside of pipes and drains. So when you put eggshells down your garbage disposal, it’s like adding more minerals to an already-clogged drain. If they’re not removed, they’ll eventually eat away at the metal parts and cause the whole system to fail.
Glass, plastic, or metal containers or utensils
These can cut or puncture the garbage disposal’s inner workings, causing major damage that will require expensive repairs. Plus, they’re sharp! You don’t want someone who has to clean up after you get hurt because you were too lazy to throw away some old dishes or silverware.
Fruit pits
Fruit pits are hard and dense, so they can get stuck in your garbage disposal and cause all kinds of problems. The best thing to do with those pesky pits is toss them in the trash.
Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are great for your garden but not for your garbage disposal. Coffee grounds can clog the drain and cause it to leak.
How to clean a smelly garbage disposal?
If you’ve ever used a smelly garbage disposal, you know that it’s not as easy as just dumping some soap down the drain and letting it go. You’ve got to do more than just clean it—you need to scrub it!
Here are a few ways to learn how to clean smelly garbage disposal:
It’s time to get your sink smellin’ fresh!
If your garbage disposal smells like a sewer, you’ve probably got some grease build-up in there. Fill your sink with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap. Let the water sit for about 20 minutes, then use an old toothbrush to scrub down the sides of the disposal. The grease will start to come loose, making it easier for you to rinse it out later on.
You can also use baking soda!
If you don’t have any lemon juice or vinegar around, try sprinkling some baking soda into your disposal and turning it on for a minute or so. The soda will help break down any food particles that are stuck in there while also neutralizing odors at the same time (plus, it’ll make your drain smell fresh!). Just be sure not to put too much in at once—you don’t want to clog up your pipes with too much powdery stuff!
Use Ice and rock salt.
The best way to smelly garbage disposal remedy is by using ice and rock salt. First, put ice cubes in the disposal, then sprinkle about two tablespoons of rock salt over them. Run the disposal for about 30 seconds before turning it off. Let the ice melt for another 30 seconds, then run water through it again. This will ensure that any food particles left in the disposal are flushed out while also getting rid of any lingering odors.
Try Lemon or citrus fruit.
If that doesn’t work for you, try simply running lemon juice through the disposal once or twice a month to help prevent odors from building up inside it again—and make sure not to put too much through at once because it can damage your pipes!
Dish soap
Run a little bit of dish soap down the drain and let it sit for about 10 minutes before running hot water through the disposal. The soap should break down any grease or food particles that might have gotten stuck in there, making it easier to clean out with hot water later on.
Run hot water
If you want to know how to get rid of smelly garbage disposal without using any chemicals or cleansers, simply run hot water down it for 15-20 minutes straight (with no dishes in the sink). This can help clean rid of any remaining foul odors, as well as any leftover food particles or oil from prior meals that may have accumulated over time due to constant use.
How Can a Clean Garbage Disposal Benefit You?
A clean garbage disposal can help you do a lot of things.
It’s not just about the fact that it’ll make your kitchen smell better. It’s about how your garbage disposal can affect your life in ways you might never have thought possible.
Here are just a few of the ways clean garbage disposal can benefit you:
1. A clean garbage disposal means your sink will be clean and shiny, which means that cleaning your sink will be easier and faster than ever before!
2. A clean garbage disposal means there will be no more food scraps or other debris clogging up your pipes, so when you’re brushing your teeth or washing dishes, those pipes won’t get clogged up with gunk!
3. A clean garbage disposal means there will be no more nasty smells coming from underneath your sink, which means that when guests come over, they’ll think you have the best house on the block!
4. Your water bill will go down because less water will be used when washing dishes (and less energy will be used to heat up dirty water).
5. Your pipes won’t get clogged up as often, meaning less money spent on plumbers (and more time spent doing fun things instead of waiting for them).
6. When it comes time for your next inspection by the landlord or homeowner’s association, you’ll have a cleaner-looking kitchen—which means no extra scrutiny from inspectors!
7. A clean garbage disposal keeps your whole house smelling fresh.
8. A clean garbage disposal can help you avoid expensive plumbing repairs.
9. A clean garbage disposal cuts down on the amount of time you spend cleaning up after meals!
10. It will reduce stress because it means no more worrying about whether or not someone is going to accidentally drop their keys down the drain!
Broken Garbage Disposal? It’s Time To Call Professional Garbage Disposal Installation Or Replacement Expert!
Are you tired of seeing your garbage disposal get broken into pieces? If you don’t know how to fix smelly garbage disposal permanently?
It’s time to call a professional!
At Ark Plumbing Service, we have been installing and replacing garbage disposals for over 15 years. We are your local experts for garbage disposal installation and replacement, so we know what it takes to get the job done right. Moreover, we believe in providing honest, reliable service at fair prices. And we’ll always be there if you need us—whether it’s after hours or on weekends.
We know how important it is to have a working garbage disposal in your home or business because it makes life easier and cleaner. Our team of experts knows exactly how to get the job done right, so you can be sure that your new garbage disposal will last.
We offer competitive rates and guarantees on our work, so you won’t have to worry about paying extra or having to get the same thing done twice.
Whether you need a new garbage disposal installed or repaired, or replaced, we can help. We also offer garbage disposal services in Clermont, drain cleaning services as well as toilet repair services. You can count on us for all of your plumbing needs!
That’s why we’ve been working with homeowners like you for years, providing them with fast service at affordable rates. And if there’s ever an issue with our workmanship? We’ll always stand behind our work 100%.
Give us a call today at (352) 988-4440, and let us know what our team can do for you!