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.
Buck –
This product is fantastic! The disposal cleaner tablets functioned wonders on our garage disposal, especially during summer when gnats are a problem. They eliminated odors and removed grease and tackled hard water buildup easily. Great value and the personal note from the seller was a thoughtful touch!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Barry –
Disappointing. I hoped this would work, but it did nothign. The foam looked impressive, but once it vanished, everything was the same as before. I even wiped off more gunk with a paper towel than the foam removed. No fragrance left either. If you enjoy watching foam for a minute, go for it, but don’t expect it to clean your garbage disposal. – Barry
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Collins –
These products are effective but seem to work more as deodorizers than actual cleaners. If they truly cleaned the disposal, it would remain odor-free longer. They only mask the smell for a few weeks. The $20 price feels high; a reduction to around $15 or $16 would be more reasonable. Therefore, I can’t give them a full 5 stars.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Cameron –
Quería que me gustaran, pero no funcionaron para mí. Seguí las instrucciones y usé dos tabletas, pero no hubo acción espumosa ni olor a cítricos. Mi triturador de basura no olía más fresco ni parecía más limpio después. Sentí que no había hecho nada en absoluto, lo cual es decepcionante para un producto que promete limpieza y desodorizar de manera efectiva.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Hazel –
I followed the instructions precisely. I put the two tablets in the drain and turned on the disposal. They were chewed up and vanished without any foam. I even tried to see the process with a flashlight but only saw them disappear.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
James –
I tried different water volumes and noticed no scent change after four attempts. The box states foam isn’t necessary to show effectiveness, but I can’t tell if it did anything.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Larry –
Our kitchen sink had a terrible fish smell we couldnt eliminate. This product lived up to its great reviews. I used 2 tablets right away, and the odor vanished! It even foamed up nicely. Highly recommend!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Kelsey M –
I’m disappointed with this product. It suggests using 1 tablet, but says 2 might be necessary for foam. I tried 3 and barely saw any. The disposal is clean, but the stopper and rim remain dirty, likely because the foam didn’t reach those areas.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Jamal –
I’ve had a garbage disposal for years without any odor issues, thanks to my monthly routine of baking soda and frozen vinegar ice cubes. This product simplifies that process, and at $20 for a year’s supply ($1.04 per tablet), it’s a great deal. It leaves the sink smelling pleasant and makes everything sparkle after using two tablets. I’m so impressed that I tried their washing machine tablets too, and I’m really happy with this brand!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Henry –
The item arived quickly, which was great. I followed the directions using 2 tablets and water from the other sink. I’ve only ever used lemon or orange peels for cleaning my disposal and didn’t notice any foam or a change in smell. I don’t think it made a difference, so I wouldn’t buy it again unless I had a smell issue. I purchased it myself, no promotion involved.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal