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.
Ray1979 –
The foam scrubs everything clean inside. Very impressed.
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jack –
My garbage disposal was gross before. The citrus smell is wonderful and not overpowering.
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Jill A. –
I had no idea my disposal could actually smell good. I thought the faint odor as normal until I found these!
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Imani G –
I was swayed by the positive reviews, but this product is just average. The garbage disposal’s freshness and odor control are acceptable. I clean my disposa weekly with bleach and a brush, scrubbing the underside of the rubber piece, so I expected better from one tablet. Unfortunately, it didn’t deliver. I tried one without a lemon or citrus scent, and even after a second, those scents were still missing. I might have an outdated box of tablets. I’ll use the rest, trying three next time to see if I can get the lemony scent, which I find more pleasant than bleach. Though bleach eliminates odor-causing bacteria, my disposal is already clean, so that wasn’t the problem.
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Jeanette McNally –
We’d been dealing with a smell around the kitchen sink for weeks. Cleaning the disposal solved the prob and the process was easy.
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Gordon –
The foam came up into both sides of our sink and cleaned everything out.
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aris –
Used one after cleaning the rubber guard and the whole sink area smelled noticeably better
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arlene –
The handwritten thank you note was a lovely touch. Great product too.
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Elena –
Used one after dinner and the sink is clean now.
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Alva –
I followed the instructions, and the cleaner worked well. However, be cautious: run the disposal until all foam is cleared. Mine overheated and shut off, but after cooling, I found the reset button, and it worked again. Remember, the disposal needs to operate for a while during cleaning, as overheating can cause it to shut off.
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