Deodorize Garbage Disposal

Get rid of that smelly kitchen skink odor by deodorizing your garbage disposal. These hands-free garbage disposal cleaner tabs are especially effective drain odor eliminators for all things drain!

Cleaning out the garbage disposal is probably not on your long list of to-do’s, am I right? But, unfortunately, while there are many things to think about, cleaning the garbage disposal isn’t one of them!

However, no one wants to deal with garbage disposal smells either. So I came up with some garbage disposal cleaning tablets that involve no scrubbing; simply drop them in the drain.

In addition to these hands-free tablets, check out my favorite drain odor eliminator hacks at the end of this post! 

You can make a large batch of these cleaner tabs at a time, store them under the sink, and drop one into the drain anytime it needs a little refresher!

Why does my garbage disposal stink?

Sink drains with garbage disposals become storage beds for rotting foods. Food can become lodged under the impellers or in little crannies for days resulting in less-than-pleasant odors.

So keep these drain odor eliminators on hand to save you time by being prepared.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.

DIY garbage disposal cleaner 

As gross as it can get, deodorizing the garbage disposal was never high on my priority list. So making a hands-free cleaner was the only way this job would be done regularly.

Besides, garbage disposals are small and difficult to really clean, so instead of trying to squeeze my hand into a small hole with sharp blades, I decided to make a cleaning tab to do the work for me. 

For this recipe, you will need the following: 

• Baking Soda
• Salt (any salt will do) 
• Lemons 
• Lemon essential oil
• Silicone molds or an ice tray 

How to make a disposal cleaner

1. In a large bowl, combine baking soda and salt with a fork until there are no clumps.
2. Zest the two lemons and add to the dry ingredients. 
3. Cut the two lemons in half and squeeze the juice into the dry ingredients—approximately 4 tablespoons.
4. Add 15-20 drops of lemon essential oil and stir all the ingredients until well combined. You want the ingredients to hold their shape when squeezed together; add more liquid if needed. 
5. Use a spoon to scoop the mixture into the molds and press firmly to tightly compact the ingredients.
6. Allow it to dry for 24-48 hours before using. (drying times will vary based on the size of the molds) 
7. Once dry, remove the tablets and store them in an airtight container. I keep mine in a small container with a lid under my sink. 

How to fix a smelly garbage disposal?

Drop one tablet into the drain to deodorize the garbage disposal, turn on the water and run the disposal for several seconds.

A few key ingredients

BAKING SODA 

Baking soda is quite possibly my favorite cleaning ingredient. It is a natural odor neutralizer with a whole host of cleaning uses.

Baking soda is an effective odor remover and can leave your kitchen sink smelling fresh and clean. I use it as a natural cleaning agent for my oven with premium results.

With its mild alkali properties, it can quickly dissolve dirt, grime, and grease. In addition, baking soda is effective in removing soap scum, hard water and cleaning drains.  

SALT 

Any salt will do for this cleaner. While I’m not particularly eager to use table salt for cooking, it is a great lower-cost option for this recipe.

Salt works as an effective yet gentle cleaning agent. It can actually be used to unclog and clean drains by pouring it down the troubled drain and washing it out with hot water.

LEMONS 

I love using lemon for cleaning! First off, lemons work wonderfully as a natural cleaner, but mostly I love that fresh lemon scent; great for deodorizing our garbage disposal.

Seriously, nothing is better, in my opinion! 

Lemons are naturally antibacterial and antiseptic, and they act as a natural bleach because of the acid found in them.

You can drop a few lemon rinds down the drain and run the water with the disposal on for a few seconds to freshen up the drain.

LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL

Lemon essential oil has cleansing and purifying properties making it one of the best oils for cleaning. I use it in so many cleaners, including an all-purpose cleaner, granite cleaner, and daily shower cleaner.

You can substitute lemon for tea tree, lime, orange, rosemary, or lavender.

All these essential oils have cleansing and purifying properties, making them an excellent option for cleaning kitchen sinks, drains, and garbage disposals. 

Hacks for when your kitchen sink smells

Try one of these hacks next time your kitchen sink smells:

• Pour about 1/4 cup of salt into the drain and splash a few tablespoons of water on top. Let it sit for several minutes, then wash it out with hot water. 
• Quickly deodorize the garbage disposal using fruit peels. That’s right, throw the peel of an orange, lemon, or grapefruit into the disposal, turn on the water then the disposal for 20-30 seconds.
• Sprinkle baking soda into the garbage disposal, followed by a few splashes of vinegar and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then wash it out with water for 30 seconds. 

Tips

Always run water when using the disposal.

Use cold water to keep fats and oils in their solid form in order for them to break up best and not clog drains.

Run the disposal every couple of days to break up any food stuck to the sides.

Use a sink strainer to catch larger pieces of food to avoid clogging the drain.

Wrapping up

You’ll be so glad to have these lovely-smelling kitchen sink deodorizers on hand. They are easy to make and work great!

For more great DIYs, read one of these cleaning posts next!

• Streak-free window cleaner
• How to easily clean a range hood
• Hands-free toilet cleaning bombs
• How to clean & get stains out of car seats
• Say goodbye to a mildewy-smelling washing machine