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.
Marissa –
I ordered these garbage disposal pods off of Amazon, and I’m extremely glad I did! As a graduate student, I often debate what cleaning products are “necessary” for me to purchase on a college budget, but these disposal tablets are now a must have. The tablets worked fast and left the disposal clean and odor-free. I also didn’t realize Active was a small business, so the handwritten note in the package was a nice touch! I look forward to trying more products in the future.
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Alicia Hudson –
I found this product on social media and, skeptical at first, decided to try it. I was pleasantly surprised by the results. As it was my first time using the cleaning tablets for my disposal, I followed the instructions and used two tablets. I did need to slightly increase the water pressure. Overall, the process took just over four minutes. I highly recommend this product.
Pros: Clear instructions and excellent foaming action.
Cons: I didn’t notice a deodorized scent afterward. While the disposal felt clean, my fragrance expectations were not met. Don’t rely on a citrus scent; it didn’t happen for me.
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Sergio –
A garbage disposal will never be completely clean. Cleaning products only remove a thin layer of grime and mask odors while pushing waste down the drain. I rate these products based on price and quantity. For example, I give pricey tablets 3 for $25 1 or 2 stars because they’re not unique. The best way to clean a disposal is to dismantle it, which is often impossible or tedious. I use 3-4 tablets a month, but they rarely foam up, regardless of price. The foaming occurs about 30% of the time, leading me to use multiple tablets. They’re easy to use just open the packet, drizzle water slowly, and flip a switch. Therefore, I choose the cheapest with the most quantity. I’ve never rated these products 5 stars as they are temporary fixes. However, this 4-star product is worth recommending; it cleans as effectively as the expensive tablets. Use more than one a month for adequate coverage, ideally one per week. Try this product, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised compared to overpriced options.
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Troy –
The handwriten note is a lovely addition. We primarily se Active brand for our appliance cleaningand great scent, easy to use, and noticeable results. Highly recommended!
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Lucas –
We have a double kitchen sink. If yours does too, block the sink without the disposal to prevent foam from going there, wasting product. We used 2 tablets initially, then plugged the other sink and tried again, which worked much better the foam rose to the top of the disposal. This info should be added to the package directions; otherwise, it works as promised.
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Curtis –
It cleans my disposal well, but I wish for a stronger citrus scent to enjoy a refreshing aroma
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okayfine11 –
I used it for the first time nad noticed almost no foam, likely because my disposal drained well, preventing the tablet from fully immersing. Then my pipes backed up, and the disposal filled with water that wouldn’t drain. It eventually drained a bit but kept refilling when I ran water, even with the disposal on. I checked the P-trap and the pipes leading to it, which were clear. I suspect foam further down the line was causing the issue. For over an hour, I ran water, watched the disposal fill, and heard “glugging” and dripping sounds from the basement pipes, including an overflow pipe. Eventually, the kitchen sink and disposal drained normally, likely because the water dissolved the foam clogging the pipes 6-10 feet from the P-trap. It was a nerve-wracking couple of hours. Edit: I am extremely impressed with the customer serrvice from this company in response to this review.
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Benjamin –
I was struggling with my disposal getting stuck and had to manually fix it. After trying several cleaners, I decided to give these a shot. They functioned wonders and have kept it running smoothly since the first use. It’s great to find something that truly delivers.
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Dahlia –
I turned on the water, tossed in the tablet, and switched on the disposal, which startled me. I thought something metal was stuck, but it was just the tablet. After stopping it to check, I turned the water back on and restarted the disposal. The tablet bounced around wildly, and my video shows it after a minute of both running. I turned off the water to show the tablet thumping like a rock! I cranked the water up to dissolve it, but it fought back. Eventually, it either went down the drain or broke apart.
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Axel –
So far, so good! The fragrance isn’t overpowering, and the instructions are clear with a helpful chart to track cleaning. I dropped in two tablets and let them work for a minute; I noticed foam, but it didn’t overflow, which is fine. The scent afterward was lightly “clean.” The handwritten note was a nice touch! I’ll continue using it and see how it goes!
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