If you’re like most people, you would probably not think about your garbage disposal until it starts to smell. That’s because, for the most part, garbage disposals are pretty reliable machines—until they stop working as well as they should.
But when your garbage disposal is smelly, it’s more than just an inconvenience; it can be a sign that something needs to be done before the smell gets worse and your entire kitchen becomes an unpleasant place to cook or eat.
When this happens, it’s time to get down on your hands and knees (or crawl under the sink) and give your garbage disposal a good scrubbing. This might seem overkill at first, but trust us: The longer you wait, the harder it will be. If you don’t take care of this problem right away, it could lead to much bigger problems down the road!
This article will cover some common reasons why your garbage disposal may start smelling less than fresh, as well as tips for keeping it clean and in good working order. If you are a homeowner in Toms River, NJ, struggling with garbage disposal repair or installation or water heater repair in New Jersey, consider calling a professional plumbing company like MyGuy Plumbing.
Why Is Your Garbage Disposal Smelly?
We’ve all been there. You’re making dinner, and suddenly a foul odor fills your house. You check the trash can—it’s fine. You check the bathroom—it’s fine. Then you hear it: that unmistakable sound that means your garbage disposal is emitting a noxious gas.
It’s happened to us all. And if you’ve ever wondered what causes that smell, we have answers for you! Here are a few reasons why your garbage disposal is smelly:
Food Waste
Food waste that has been caught or lodged within the drain pipe beneath your sink is the most prevalent cause of stinky disposals. This may produce an unpleasant odor emanating from your washbasin and may even cause the drain to block.
Oils and Grease
Items like oil and grease tend to settle in the bottom of your garbage can and solidify over time, resulting in a sticky mess that can block your pipes and cause a variety of issues in your kitchen, including rotting food aromas.
Lack of Cleaning
If you don’t clean out your drain regularly—or even if you only do it once every few months—you’re going to end up with a smelly problem on your hands in no time flat! So make sure you give yourself enough time every month or so when you do this chore so that everything stays fresh and clean!
Drain Line Clog
If your drain line is clogged, you will detect a strong odor emanating from the washbasin. This occurs when food particles become lodged in the pipe and begin to decay. When this happens, a stench is released that pervades the whole kitchen.
Your garbage disposal is malfunctioning
When you know how to switch off an electric water heater and your garbage disposal isn’t operating correctly, it signifies that all of the food scraps and other objects you’ve thrown into it have been there for a time and have begun to degrade. When this happens, bacteria multiply, and the stench worsens. Thus cleaning up the drain on a regular basis won’t make much of a difference because the smell is already there.
Hence, even if you clear out the drain on a regular basis, it won’t make much of a difference because the smell won’t go away until you repair it or install a new one with the help of a professional Garbage Disposal Installation & Replacement in Toms River, NJ plumbing company.
Maintenance Tips For Your Garbage Disposal
You know the feeling: you walk into your kitchen, and there’s that smell. It’s not always a terrible odor; it just smells like garbage. It just gets worse when you open the fridge. That’s because your garbage disposal is full of food scraps and other unmentionables that are fermenting in the dark and creating a breeding environment for the worst type of stank.
But don’t be worried! We’ve got some tips and tricks for cleaning up your garbage disposal so it smells fresh again in no time! Consider the following:
Use Natural Remedies
If you’ve tried all the standard remedies for stinky garbage disposals (vinegar, lemon juice), and they haven’t worked for you yet, try adding some natural remedies into the mix. For example, you can use baking soda or bleach to help neutralize odors in your drain. But be careful! Too much baking soda can cause clogs and damage pipes; too much bleach can corrode metal parts in your disposal unit.
Use a Citrus-Based Cleaner
Some people swear by citrus-based cleaners to keep the smell down in their garbage disposal units. Citrus oils are thought to have antibacterial properties that make them particularly good at fighting off bad smells from food scraps that have been ground up and flushed down the sink drain.
Scouring Powder
Scouring powder is available at any hardware shop or supermarket and will aid in the removal of all the junk that has clogged your sink’s drain. Run the disposal or water heater in Toms River with a tiny amount of scouring powder until the odor is gone. Scouring powder is an abrasive material that aids in the removal of dirt from your pipes. It also helps to eliminate odors by destroying bacteria and fungi that generate foul scents. To ensure no residue remains, rinse the disposal after applying scouring powder.
Avoid Throwing Some Objects in the Garbage
Certain foods are too fatty or greasy for your garbage disposal to adequately handle, resulting in jams and smell. Avoid putting items like eggshells or oil down the wash basin since they will accumulate over time, cause difficulties for your pipes, and make them stink!
Use Ice cubes
Put ice cubes and lemon rinds down your disposal every time you use them to keep them smelling fresh. The lemon rinds will help absorb odors from the garbage disposal, and the ice cubes will keep it cool, preventing odors from building up inside.
Regularly Clean the Disposal
Cleaning out your garbage disposal regularly is one of the best ways to prevent odors from building up in your sink drain. Make sure to run water while cleaning out your disposal so that any food particles that may be stuck there get flushed down into the sewer system or water heaters nj instead of rotting inside your pipes. If you notice any build-up on the sides or bottom of your sink drain, use a brush or sponge to scrub it off before it gets worse!
Call for Professional Garbage Disposal Installation & Replacement in Toms River, NJ
We know how frustrating it can be to deal with a garbage disposal that’s giving you trouble. Finding the time to address the problem yourself and even harder to know where to start can be difficult. Luckily, we’re here to help!
MyGuy Plumbing is a professional plumbing company in Toms River, NJ, that offers top-quality plumbing services at affordable rates. We specialize in resolving all kinds of drain issues—from sink repairs and leaks to leak detection and gas line repairs. We also handle garbage disposal repair and installation, so you can rest assured that your home will be taken care of no matter what issue arises with your plumbing system.
Whether you’re experiencing problems with your garbage disposal or just want some advice on how to keep it running smoothly, give us a call today at (732) 492-3968 or email us at contact@myguyplumbingnj.com!
We’re happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have about our Garbage Disposal Installation & Replacement services.
