Cleaning Garbage Disposals, Naturally
Garbage disposals often become the sole source of any bad smells that permeate your kitchen. It doesn't have to be that way, and we're going to show you exactly how to remedy this common problem. Let's take a look at a few different natural methods that are proven to leave your kitchen smelling fresh and inviting. Use this trick directly before you invite house guests over for dinner, they'll be immediately impressed by how great your kitchen smells!
The Process:
- Lemons -
The rind of the lemon, as well as the lemon itself both contain naturally occurring essential oils. They're not just useful for making a tall pitcher of lemonade during the summertime, or garnishing a cocktail. The fruit, and rind of the lemon act as a natural deodorizer due to its astringent, antiseptic and even antibacterial properties. All of these attributes work together to naturally improve the smell of your garbage disposal. If you're using the whole fruit, make sure you quarter them up with a knife before you toss them in. Run some cold water, and you'll notice an immediate difference. It'll smell fresh and clean right away. - Clean The Plastic - Garbage disposals will often have plastic flaps that prevent your silverware and dishes from accidentally falling inside of them. Your garbage disposal has a "removable baffle" (the term for the plastic flaps), and it's removable for a reason. Pull it out and give it a thorough scrubbing with a damp sponge and some dish soap. It is very easy for odor causing bacteria to build up on this plastic piece due to the nature of the sink. Once it's clean, put it back and you'll be good to go.
- Preventative Action - Just as the best time to plant a tree is a hundred years ago, the best time to clean a garbage disposal is three months ago! The second best time is today. You should adamantly avoid disposing of any leftover grease, egg shells (contrary to popular belief, the membrane can damage interior parts rather than sharpening the blades), and also onion layers. When you run your machine, do so for 4-6 seconds longer than you feel is necessary so that it cleans itself out, and rinse it down every time. After experiencing the success of these easy tips, check out the rest of our environmentally safe kitchen cleaning process over at our Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Your Kitchen.
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