If you have a smell coming from your garbage disposal that no amount of baking soda can diminish, it is highly recommended that you call a licensed plumber. Unfortunately, a stinky garbage disposal can be a sign of a serious sewer gas leak in your home. A plumbing professional will have the necessary equipment to see if the source of the stench is your sewer. If it is not, he or she can move on to finding the origin of the smell and correcting the problem.
Once your garbage disposal has returned to an odorless state, there are many steps you can take to ensure it stays that way.
- Avoid depositing grease, oils, or fatty foods into your garbage disposal. These items will coat the blades of the disposal, making them less effective. They will also form a build-up on the sides of your pipes that will eventually lead to clogging.
- Always turn on the cold water and let it run for a few seconds prior to turning the disposal on, and let it continue to run for a few seconds after you turn the disposal off. This helps reduce the likelihood of food items getting caught in your drain.
- Do not put starchy foods such as rice, pasta, potatoes, and bread through your disposal. Water causes these items to swell, making them more likely to jam the blades of your disposal or create a barrier in your pipes that will not allow water to pass through.
To help keep your garbage disposal clean and fresh, the following easy methods are recommended:
- Regularly run ice cubes through your garbage disposal to help sharpen the blades and remove any food that is stuck to them.
- Place a few teaspoons of baking soda in the drain, then pour in some vinegar, followed by a pot of boiling water. The foaming action will help sanitize the drain.
- Grind some orange or lemon slices to give your disposal a clean scent.
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