What to Do When Your Garbage Disposal Stinks

Why Your Garbage Disposal Smells

Several things cause foul odors in garbage disposals, and pinpointing the source is the first step in banishing them for good. Here are the most common culprits:

Food Residue Buildup

Food scraps trapped beneath disposal blades or inside the grinding chamber quickly rot and cause offensive odors. This buildup is usually from starchy foods like pasta or potatoes, fibrous vegetables, or greasy meat.

Quick fix: Regularly flush your disposal with cold water and ice cubes to loosen stuck-on residue.

Grease and Oil

Cooking oils and grease solidify in disposal pipes, trapping food particles that quickly spoil. Grease buildup also reduces drainage, making odors even worse.

Avoid pouring fats and oils down the drain, and periodically flush the disposal with hot water to dissolve grease.

Mold and Bacteria

Your garbage disposal provides an ideal environment for bacteria and mold growth—dark, damp, and filled with organic waste. Over time, these microorganisms emit foul smells.

Regularly running your disposal with hot water and dish soap can eliminate bacterial growth.

How to Clean a Smelly Garbage Disposal

Now that you understand the causes, here’s how you can effectively eliminate those odors:

Clear the Disposal

Turn the disposal on and run hot water for at least 30 seconds after each use.

To remove stubborn debris, toss in a few ice cubes and a tablespoon of coarse rock salt, then run it again for 20 seconds. The ice scrapes away buildup, while salt disinfects the blades.

Freshen with Citrus

A natural way to keep your disposal smelling clean is by grinding citrus peels like lemons or oranges regularly.

Citrus oils effectively mask odors and cut through grease. Just toss small pieces of peel into the disposal and grind for about 15 seconds.

Use Natural Cleaning Solutions

For lingering odors, use baking soda and vinegar. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz and sit for 15 minutes, then flush thoroughly with hot water. This powerful, natural duo neutralizes odors and disinfects simultaneously.

Regular Deep Cleaning

At least monthly, perform a deeper clean.

Remove the disposal's rubber splash guard if possible, scrub it thoroughly with dish soap, and rinse well. This step eliminates hidden grime, significantly reducing persistent smells.

Use a garbage disposal cleaner such as Affresh to thoroughly clean and disinfect the disposal. Here’s a video that describes how the Affresh garbage disposal cleaner works:

Keep Garbage Disposal Odors Away for Good

Prevent future odors by running citrus peels (lemon or orange) through your disposal weekly. Their natural oils freshen the chamber and blades, leaving behind a pleasant, clean fragrance.

If odors persist despite your best efforts, it's likely time to schedule garbage disposal repair.

A professional technician can quickly identify and resolve mechanical issues contributing to persistent smells, restoring freshness and convenience to your kitchen.