Spring is a great time to tackle those cleaning projects that you might have been putting off all winter. Properly cleaning and maintaining your garbage disposal can help make sure your kitchen remains free from bad odors and pests. Whether it’s using natural solutions or calling the experts at Falcon in Northern VA to give it a good inspection, there are easy ways you can keep your garbage disposal clean, fresh, and working efficiently this spring. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Unplug the Garbage Disposal
Safety first! Before doing anything else, unplug the garbage disposal from its power source (usually underneath the sink). Then use a flashlight to inspect the inside of the disposer for any hidden objects or large food debris that may have been accidentally thrown in there. Remove them as necessary.
Step 2: Clean Out All Food Particles
Next, take a damp cloth or sponge and wipe down all surfaces of the disposer, including the sides and around all openings. Make sure to pay attention to any areas where food particles may have gotten stuck or lodged in small crevices such as around blades or between components. You can also use an old toothbrush with some dish soap and warm water to scrub away stubborn food particles.
Step 3: Disinfect
To give your garbage disposal an extra boost of freshness, pour half a cup of baking soda down into it followed by a cup of white vinegar. The mixture will foam up when it starts working it’s magic. Once it stops foaming, run hot water and let everything sit for about 10 minutes before turning the disposal on again. This will help deodorize your disposer while cleaning out all those hard-to-reach areas at the same time!
Step 4: Freshen Up
Give your garbage disposal a refreshing spring smell using citrus fruit like lemons, limes, and oranges! Cut the fruit into smaller pieces, place them in the disposal, and turn it on for a few seconds. The citrus scent will leave your kitchen smelling fresh while ensuring your disposal is clean and running smoothly.
With these easy steps, you can have your disposer sparkling clean in no time! Don’t forget to avoid putting certain items down the garbage disposal to ensure it remains clog- and odor-free. Avoid items like grease, oil, pits, or cores from fruits and veggies, and shells of any kind. A safe rule of thumb is if you can’t cut it easily with a knife or it hardens when cool (or wet), throw it in the trash. But, if clogs and breakdowns do happen, give Falcon a call at (703) 596-9998 and we’ll take care of it. Happy cleaning!