The Top Ways To Deodorize Your Garbage Disposal-Naturally

Following are our five top things to do that will keep that trash disposal smelling not only clean but naturally fresh and fragrant as well.

1. Don't Forget To Use Your Vitamin "C."

Well, what we mean is to put your citrus fruit to sustainable use by discarding peels and pieces of fruit in the trash disposal at the end of the day and turning on the switch.

With citrus fruit coming into the season, now is a great time to stock up on oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruit and anything else that's citrus in your fridge or pantry. However, don't wait too much time as they can spoil if not used within a short time.

While some trash disposal manufacturers boast of the strength, durability and the efficiency of their product, experienced plumbers recommend not putting in the whole fruit into the disposal at one time.

• It's better to cut up the fruit leftovers in smaller portions and drop into the disposal a few pieces at a time.
• Running water into the drain after you turn on the switch will help the device last longer, and keep it in good running condition. As this is one of this writer's favorite ways to not only disinfect the blades and the disposal walls as well, you'll soon find satisfaction in knowing your money is not being spent on chemical solutions that can be detrimental to your health.

2. Using Ice Cubes and Salt

Aside from citrus fruit, the next best way to help keep your trash disposal smelling clean and free from odors is using ice cubes and salt.

Over time, your trash disposal will naturally accumulate gooey stuff and other residue particles from daily use. Unless a thorough cleaning regularly takes place, gunk tends to settle around and in between the blades and on the walls inside.

• To dislodge the material from the leaves, and keep the blades sharp and disinfected, only drop ice cubes into the trash disposal, and turn on the switch. Once again, doing it little-by-little will maintain the blades from getting dull without actually damaging them. Next, you can let the water run for about one minute.
• Afterward, pour about half a cup of salt into the disposal, and watch a disinfecting action take place. Course salt or rock salt is best for this practice, but you can also use regular table salt as well.
• Let the salt sit for a few minutes, and then run hot water down the disposal drain. The cleansing action is now complete, and your disposal should be free from unpleasant odors.

3. Using Ice, Citrus and White Vinegar

A particular favorite of this writer, and homemakers everywhere is white vinegar--today's panacea for all things environment-oriented. One variation recommended by plumbing contractors is substituting the salt used above with citrus fruit and white vinegar instead.

High acid contents found in the vinegar work wonders on most molds, germs, and bacteria. When you add citrus and freeze everything to make ice cubes, you have one power-packed solution to getting rid of those odors from the disposal.

Another variation yet is freezing the vinegar, citrus peels, and the salt to make ice cubes. Then grinding everything up in a food processor, drop the combination in the trash disposal for an extra sturdy, cleaning action.

4. Using Your Arm & Hammer

Another panacea for keeping things extra clean like the inside of refrigerators, pets, and even carpet stains, is the use of baking soda. A great deodorizer for the disposal, just a little bit down the drain followed by some boiling water will neutralize and help get rid of odors.

5. The Baking Soda/White Vinegar Combo

Here's a traditional standard method for getting rid of those terrible odors:

• Sprinkle one-half cup baking soda down your disposal drain.
• Follow by one cup white vinegar.
• Allow the combination to start foaming and bubbling for about five to ten minutes.
• Flush everything down the drain with hot water.

All this being said, keeping a trash disposal clean to begin with keeps any nasty odors from building up. While some manufacturers advertise their products as being self-cleaning, stink, sludge, and gunk do build up if you are not an automatic custodian.

How To Keep It All Clean

Simply put, just pour a kettle full of boiling water down the drain each evening before going to bed. That'll do it!

If you prefer something more detailed, then place a stopper in the sink, and fill the pan with about a quarter full with boiling water. Add some liquid dish soap, and turn on the disposal. Next, unstop the stopper, and let the water flush on through. Do this about twice a week and viola!

To keep your trash disposal working right and smelling clean, plumbing technicians recommend avoid putting the following things down your disposal:

• Grease
• Sticky, gooey foods like eggs and honey
• Coffee grounds
• Chemical cleaners of any kind

In reality, there are many more things you can do to keep your trash disposal machine free from unpleasant odors; however, these five above mentioned practices will work every time you use them in your kitchen.

Regardless of whether your disposal device is self-cleaning or not, they'll guarantee a cleaner, better-smelling kitchen environment and a healthier one as well.

Call Falcon Plumbing today at (305)-251-7333, to get your garbage disposal fixed today in your Miami, FL home.