Three manufacturers publish steps for cleaning a garbage disposal, and they differ in what they use and when the power is off. InSinkErator cleans under the sink baffle, GE uses dish soap, baking soda and vinegar, and Moen scrubs the removable splash guard. Moen and GE both say to cut the power before you start. Use the one that matches your disposal and check your manual.
Steps, by source
InSinkErator: the baffle
Cleans food buildup from under the sink baffle of an InSinkErator disposal, then grinds ice with lemon or lime wedges to freshen it. Source: InSinkErator: Clean the disposal baffle and freshen it.
- Turn off your disposal.
- Remove the sink baffle and clean the underside of the baffle with a scouring pad.
- Place the baffle back in the sinkhole.
- Turn on your disposer and run a medium stream of cold water.
- Put ice cubes mixed with lemon or lime wedges down the disposal to freshen it up.
What the source lists: Scouring pad; Ice cubes; Lemon or lime wedges.
From the source. Please avoid putting fats, oils, harsh cleaning products and other non-food products down your disposal.
GE: the Disposall
Rinses, scrubs and deodorizes a GE Disposall garbage disposal with dish soap, baking soda and vinegar, ice and rock salt, and citrus. Source: GE Appliances: Clean and deodorize the garbage disposal.
- Before you start, make sure the garbage disposal is turned off: unplug the unit or switch off the circuit breaker.
- Run hot water through the disposal for about a minute to loosen debris and grease buildup.
- Pour a few drops of dish soap into the disposal and use a brush to scrub the upper part of the disposal, including the rubber splash guard.
- Sprinkle half a cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar.
- Let the mixture fizz up, then let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.
- Flush the disposal with hot water for another minute or two.
- Put a handful of ice cubes and a tablespoon of rock salt into the disposal, then turn on the disposal and run cold water.
- Cut a lemon or lime into small wedges and feed them into the disposal one at a time while it is running.
What the source lists: Dish soap; Brush; Baking soda (half a cup); White vinegar (a cup); Ice cubes (a handful); Rock salt (a tablespoon); Lemon or lime.
From the source. Avoid putting fibrous foods like nuts, stringy fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds, and large bones into the disposal as they can cause clogs.
Moen: the splash guard
Checks that a Moen disposal drains, cuts the power, and scrubs the removable splash guard with baking soda and warm water. Source: Moen: Eliminate garbage disposal odors.
- Confirm the garbage disposal is draining properly; a clogged or slow-draining disposal may develop a noticeable odor.
- Unplug the garbage disposal or, if it is hardwired, turn the power off at the electrical box.
- Once you have confirmed the power is off, pull the splash guard out.
- Scrub the underside of the splash guard with baking soda and warm water (the splash guard is also dishwasher safe).
- Rinse the splash guard off with warm water.
- Re-install the splash guard.
- Plug the garbage disposal back in or turn the power back on.
What the source lists: Baking soda; Warm water.
From the source. never pull the splash guard out without the power being cut off first
From the source. Never place your hands in the garbage disposal. Always use tongs or needle nose pliers to remove an object.
Questions
Should the disposal be off when I clean it?
GE says to make sure it is turned off by unplugging the unit or switching off the circuit breaker. Moen says to unplug it or, if hardwired, turn the power off at the electrical box, and never to pull the splash guard out without the power cut off first.
What does GE say not to put in the disposal?
GE says to avoid fibrous foods like nuts, stringy fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds and large bones, as they can cause clogs.
What does InSinkErator say to avoid?
InSinkErator says to avoid putting fats, oils, harsh cleaning products and other non-food products down your disposal.
Can the splash guard go in the dishwasher?
Moen says the splash guard is dishwasher safe.
What if an object is stuck in the disposal?
Moen says never to place your hands in the garbage disposal and always to use tongs or needle nose pliers to remove an object.
Models vary, check your manual. These steps come from the sources linked above and HouseHack doesn't verify them. Follow your appliance's manual and safety labels.
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