Maintaining the garbage disposal is important when it comes to maintaining a clean kitchen. For one thing, it can easily become a trap for grime and unpleasant odors if not cleaned regularly.
Why It’s Important To Clean Your Garbage Disposal
Cleaning the garbage disposal will not only reduce odors but it’ll also ensure that it works properly.
For example, leftover food, especially within the rubber splash guard or grinding chamber, can decay over time and cause clogs.
Not only that but certain things such as grease and stringy vegetables can also leave behind a slimy residue that won’t be broken down properly.
Unpleasant Odors from Grease Buildup
Cooling fats and oils will also solidify into greasy substances, which will cling onto the surfaces inside your garbage disposal system, creating the perfect conditions for foul odors.
These microorganisms will feed on the decaying food scraps and contribute towards foul smells while also posing potential health risks.
Problems Caused By Dirty Garbage Disposals
A clean garbage disposal is about more than just having a clean kitchen. It’s an essential aspect of home maintenance that, if neglected, can lead to significant issues.
As mentioned earlier, the food waste lingering inside can lead to grime accumulation, which will not only produce unpleasant odors but can also pose potential health risks.
Not only that but oils can also accumulate inside and that can lead to clogs, which can significantly affect the unit performance.
More specifically, the buildup can restrict water flow through the pipes, causing slower drainage times along with an increased risk of backups that can damage other plumbing fixtures around your house.
How Do the Disposer Cleaning Tablets By ACTIVE Work?
Unlike DIY methods (e.g. baking soda, ice cubes, citrus peels, dish soap) ACTIVE Disposal Cleaner Tablets are specifically formulated with garbage disposals in mind.
They’re designed to disintegrate food particles and oils that have built up over time inside the garbage disposal.
They work by producing a foaming solution that fills the disposal’s grinding chamber. This ensures every nook and cranny, where debris may accumulate, is thoroughly cleaned.
They’re easy to use too as all you need to do is drop one tablet into the drain with the water running. Before you know it, it will start to scrub away the stubborn fat deposits hidden inside the appliance.
Not only that but the tablet will also neutralize any foul smells at their source – rather than just masking them like some competing products do.
The best part? The tablets are safe for all types of plumbing and septic systems.
Troubleshooting Common Garbage Disposal Issues
Garbage disposals, while handy, can sometimes throw a wrench in your kitchen routine with unexpected issues.
Here’s how to handle a few of the most typical problems.
Lingering Odors Inside The Disposal
If you notice an unpleasant smell coming from your sink drain opening, chances are, it’s due to food residue stuck in hard-to-reach places (e.g. underneath the blades).
Fortunately, there’s an easy fix – just use the cleaning tablets by ACTIVE and it will scrub away all the stubborn grime.
Visible Food Debris After Cleaning
In some cases, food debris can remain even after using disposal cleaners. To fix that, run cold water and turn on the unit for approximately 30 seconds – that will help flush out any lingering scraps.
Make sure not to use hot water as that may melt the oils and fats, which will end up re-solidifying further down the pipes, causing clogs within the drainage system. The same goes for warm water.
If food residue is still present after these steps, try another round of ACTIVE cleaning tablets.
The Best Garbage Disposal Cleaning Products
Caring for your kitchen waste disposal means choosing the right products for the job.
Some options, such as drain cleaners, can cause harm over time due to their corrosive nature or inability to provide a deep clean.
ACTIVE Disposal Cleaner, on the other hand, will effectively scrub away the oils that are trapped underneath without damaging any components in the process. It even comes with a pleasant citrus scent.
Common Questions About Disposal Maintenance
The garbage disposal is often seen as an abyss below your kitchen sink, so it’s no wonder many disposal owners have questions about it.
Here are some of the most common questions and their answers.
How Often Should You Clean Your Garbage Disposal?
Ideally, you want to clean your disposal at least twice a month using ACTIVE Disposal Cleaner tablets.
Simply toss one in with a slow stream of water running, then turn on the disposal.
For most users, cleaning the unit twice a month with ACTIVE Cleaning tablets will suffice. However, if you notice foul odors or poor performance, additional cleaning cycles may be needed.
How Do You Clean A Garbage Disposal Without Removing It?
You can effectively clean your waste disposer by using an ACTIVE Garbage Disposal Cleaner tablet. Just place one inside the disposal and let the scrubbing foam do the rest of the work!
How Do I Keep My Garbage Disposal Running Smoothly?
Avoid feeding the unit hard objects or fibrous foods (e.g. corn husks) that could cause jams or damage the blades.
It’s also a good idea to run cold water after each use to flush down any oils. Using an effective cleaning product like ACTIVE Disposal Cleaner will also help keep it squeaky clean.
ACTIVE Products For Your Other Home Appliances
We’re here to make house cleaning easier for you. Not only do we offer cleaning tablets for your disposal unit, but we have a range of other household cleaning products as well.
Saide –
This is my third box and that should tell you how much I depend on these tablets. I use them religiously and my disposal has never given me a problem since.
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russ H. –
Grinding lemon peels made the sink smell good but never got rid of the odor. These tablets cleaned the source of the smell
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Webb –
Worked better than running soap and ice through it.
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Kacey –
This was a completely random purchase because our kitchen sink had developed a smell that I could not figure out.
I cleaned the drain, washed the rubber splash guard, checked undenreath the sink for leaks and even emptied everything out of the cabinet because I was convinced there was old food hiding somewhere. My husband kept telling me it was obviously the disposal, but I had already run soap and hot water through it a bunch of times so I didn’t think that was the problem.
Finally tried one of these tablets. The first time it foamed up way more than I expected and pushed some absolutely disgusting brownish stuff up around the drain opening. I rinsed every thing down and immediately the sink smelled different. Not covered up with some overpowering perfume, just actually clean. The funny part was my husband came home later and asked if I had replaced the disposal because the kitchen didn’t have that old funky smell anymore.
Ive used another tablet since then and got much less grime the second time which I assume is a good sign. Very very easy and definitely staying under our sink from now on. Love finding new delights like this!
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Delaney Brooks –
No scrubbing needed which is exactly what I wanted.
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Linda Castillo –
Helped with the buildup under the rubber guard.
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Tamra –
I drop one in every Sunday and wake up to a clean smelling kitchen every Monday
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Autumn –
Fast and simple – it worked!
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thewanderingeye –
My ancient disposal seems like it runs better. Very impressed.
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Kerry M Corvello –
My building has old plumbing and my disposal always smells. These keep it fresh
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