How to clean a garbage disposal naturally?

Essential Steps

• Before starting, make sure the garbage disposal is turned off to avoid any accidents. Remove any visible large debris using tongs or pliers.
• Pour about ½ cup of baking soda into the disposal. Baking soda acts to loosen food residue and grime.
• Add about 1 cup of vinegar immediately after the baking soda. You’ll notice a fizzing reaction, which helps break down debris and neutralize odors. Let this mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put a handful of ice cubes along with a small amount of salt into the disposal. As you run the disposal, the ice cubes help scrub the blades mechanically while the salt adds gentle abrasion to remove buildup.
• Turn on the disposal and run cold water for a minute or two. This action flushes out the loosened particles and any remaining cleaning agents.
• For an extra burst of freshness, you can run a few citrus peels (such as lemon or lime) through the disposal. The natural oils in the peels help improve the overall scent.

Detailed Explanation

• Safety Precaution: Always ensure the unit is off before manually removing debris. Use tools like tongs to avoid injury from sharp or stuck particles.
• Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction: When these ingredients combine, they create a fizzing action. This gentle bubbling effect helps loosen grime and residue inside the disposal.
• Ice and Salt Scrubbing: Ice cubes help clean the disposal’s internal components as they get ground up, while salt works as a natural abrasive, scrubbing away built-up food particles from the blades and walls.
• Colder Water Rinse: Running cold water helps to clear out the broken-down waste and keeps the appliance parts from getting too warm after the cleaning process.
• Citrus Boost: Grinding citrus peels not only helps to mechanically clean but also leaves behind a refreshing scent. This step enhances the overall freshness of the disposal without compromising the cleaning process.