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.
Caroline –
I believe my disposal is ruined. When I turned it on with the tablet inside, it made an awful noise, like 100 forks clanging. There was no mention of such a noise on the package. I didn’t see any buildup, and I’ve had water running in it for 30 minutes to dissolve the tablet. While running, it was spitting water everywhere.
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Rhea –
It keeps waste disposal fresh and clean, with a light citrus scent. The easy-to-use tablets come in a compact box of 24. Though not the cheapest option, they effectively do the job!
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Dean –
The tablets seem to have eliminated the odor, but I’m a bit disappointed that I didn’t get the expected citrus scent. As long as the smell is gone, I’m satisfied.
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Thomas –
I wanted to get rid of the bad odor in my dishwasher and learned that cleaning the drain and sewer could help. I tried a product, but initially, there was no foam, and the smell continued. After seeing how dirty the drain was, I used three tablets a day for three days, and finally, the odor vanished. For first-time users, consistency over a few days is key for the best results. It’s impressive! Highly recommend!
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Jared –
My apartment’s garbage disposal was in rough shape and had never been cleaned. When I started to notice a strange odor, I decided to try these tabs. I used about 6 or 8 on the first day as the foul debris kept coming up. Eventually, the chunks stopped, and I discovered my disposal is silver instead of black. It didn’t clean everything, but I think it would take something extreme to do that. Now I use the tabs every week or two to maintain it. I deducted a star because the chemicals have a bad smell, which fades over time, but a lemon scent would be a nice addition. I will definitely buy again.
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Alan –
My garbage disposal often smells bad, so I tried these deodorizing tablets. With 24 tablets in a package, using them twice a month offers a year’s supply. I followed the instructions: ran hot water, reduced it to a trickle, and tossed in two tablets. They fizzed and worked welland my disposal felt clean and smelled fresh. They come in a cardboard box for easy storage and include a reminder chart. Plus, they’re septic safe, which is a bonus. This small family-owned business has a fantastic productand definitely worth a try!
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Stan –
I bought these due to their high ratings, but after following the directions, they didn’t improve my garbage disposal. There was foam on the first use, but since then, the tablets get quickly chewed up.
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Ralph –
As a mom, my garbage disposal sees more action than a kid on a swing set. I thought these citrus-scented tabs would be a game changer. For the first month, they worked wonders, filling my kitchen with a refreshing aroma and masking stale food smells. However, after a few months, the freshness faded, much like my ability to keep the house tidy. They provide a quick fix but require consistent use, which is tough when I’m busy keeping my toddler away from cat treats. In the end, they’re great for a brief refresh, but don’t expect them to keep your disposal smelling like oranges long-term.
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Quillian –
I expected yellow foam like in the videos, but it didn’t work despite following the instructions closely.
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Jessica King –
Nothing to see or smell here. Did nothing no fizz, foam, or scent, just a cologne-like odor. Ice cubes in the disposal work better. Followed the instructions perfectly, and this product was ineffective. Returning for a refund.
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