5 Simple Steps To Clean A Garbage Disposal

Having a garbage disposal in your Chicago home – whether it’s on the North Side, the West Side, The Northwest Side or the Far North Side – is a blessing when you have food scraps to get rid of. After all, no one likes to go out to the trash when it’s freezing cold outside. But owning one also means cleaning it so it doesn’t end up full of bacteria and odors that can be unpleasant at best.

Never fear. The pros from Vanguard Plumbing & Sewer are here to explain the easiest way to clean your Chicago garbage disposal with all-natural ingredients most of you probably have around your home already. We’ve broken the process down into 5 simple steps and outlined each of them below. Here’s what you’ll need to do the job right:

Pair of Pliers (they need to fit into the opening)
Flashlight (you’ll use this to peek inside)
Ice Cubes (smaller cubes are best)
Table Salt (don’t use expensive salt for this)
Baking Soda (any brand is fine)
2-3 Lemons (we’ll only use the peels)
Vinegar (use ordinary white vinegar)

The First Step – Cut All The Power

Any time you’re going to work on a plumbing fixture you’re going to want to disconnect the fixture from its power source. This is the most important thing you can remember about any process that involves electricity. It can save your life. Now that we’ve said that it’s time to disconnect the garbage disposal from the power source so we can move to step #2. Usually the plug is located near the garbage disposal under the sink.

Let’s Clean Parts – Splash Guard Time

One of the places that bacteria and odors emanate from is the splash guard. All garbage disposals have one and they’re easy to remove. You’re going to want to clean this thoroughly using a brush or sponge and as much cleaning detergent as it takes. You can use dish soap for this but be certain you give it a good cleaning before setting it aside.

Time To Dig Around – Be Thorough

With the splash guard removed and the garbage disposal disconnected from power it’s time to shine a flashlight in there and see if you can spot any food particles or slime that has eluded the disposal blades. If you find something use the pliers you brought to the job to remove it safely. Do not – we repeat – do not put your hands in a garbage disposal. Never, for any reason. It doesn’t matter if it’s in a box on the counter having never been plugged in. Don’t take the chance.

Time To Get Cleaning – Soda & Vinegar

Now it’s time to start cleaning for real. Pour a half cup of baking soda into the disposal. Be sure to get it around the circumference as best you can. Leave this in place for a good 30 to 45 minutes before pouring the vinegar in. All you need is a cup to do it right so measure carefully. You’re going to be creating a foamy liquid that coats the inside of the disposal getting into all the nooks and crannies. Let this slurry do its thing for just 3 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with hot water. You can go the extra mile and boil water for this step but that’s up to you.

Last Step Is Fun – Chop It All Up

Okay, we’re done with the steps that require no power. Plug the garbage disposal back in and replace the splash guard. Now we’re going to dump in 2 cups of ice and one cup of salt. Run cold water – not hot, cold – and chop it up. This takes less than a minute so turn it off when the chunks of ice are gone. Last we’re going to use those lemon peels to freshen it up for the long haul. Run those through the system and you’re through!

Get Professional Help With Garbage Disposal Installation

Give Vanguard Plumbing & Sewer a call any time you want to talk about a new garbage disposal for your Chicago home. We may not have the lowest price but we’re guarantee the best service. That’s what a 100% satisfaction guarantee means after all and it’s why you should call (773) 633-6139 today!

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Clean A Garbage Disposal