Adding a garbage disposal into your sink is a great addition to any kitchen, as it maximizes convenience and makes it easy to clean up after a meal. Even with its main purpose to be maximizing convenience and efficiency, like all other devices & machines, this feature can start to create problems when not maintained properly. Sometimes, these types of devices can get so bad to the point that they require an appliance repair (which is why periodic maintenance + cleaning is so important).
One of the most common issues people face when utilizing garbage disposals in specific, is that their sink starts to create a foul odor. If you’re wondering why this is happening to your sink and how to fix it, check out the information our team at Alpha Appliance Services Inc. has to offer below.
Why is This Happening?
Before talking about the solutions to this issue, it is important to know the reason as to why this is happening. When it comes to any device that deals with the storing, preparing or disposing of food, there is a risk for foul odors. This is because organic matters like food break down and decay overtime when not disposed of correctly. This may be confusing, as the entire point of a built-in garbage disposal is to dispose of your food correctly, but sometimes food can get stuck and built up within the drain.
Even though these devices are good at self cleaning for long periods of time, as months go by and more and more food enters the device, there is always a chance for buildup/objects getting stuck on the walls of the pipes. The good news? This issue is really easy to fix, and can be solved with just a few steps.
How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal Unit
Cleaning a garbage disposal needs to be done safely and in a certain way, as this device contains blades that cut apart food and can cut apart your extremities if you’re not careful. In order to do so safely, follow the steps below:
Start at The Top
The safest way to clean this device is by ensuring that it is turned OFF before cleaning any part of it. Once it is turned off, in the areas that are easy to reach and safe to touch, simply clean with a cloth or scrub. Once these parts are cleaned, go over these parts with a long handled scrubbing brush to scrub the rim of the device.
Flush it Out
In order to do this cleaning method, simply gather baking soda, vinegar and a kettle full of boiling water. Start by heating one cup (250ml) of vinegar in the microwave for approx. 30 seconds to a minute. Once heated, set aside and pour about a half cup of baking soda down your garbage disposal. Once poured, add in the vinegar and plug up the drain for several minutes to let it sit. Once the baking soda & vinegar have sat in your sink and ate at the leftover food, pull the plug out and *carefully* pour the kettle of boiling water down the garbage disposal to flush out the vinegar, baking soda and leftover food.
Clean with Ice & Salt
Did you know that rock salt combined with ice is abrasive enough to clean the gunk out of your sink without damaging the garbage disposal unit? In order to undergo this cleaning method, start by pouring half a cup to a full cup of ice cubes into the garbage disposal. Turn the garbage disposal on, and while the disposal is shredding the ice cubes sprinkle a quarter cup of rock salt or kosher salt down the disposal as well while also running the cold water tap. This method should get rid of the majority of your food gunk and leave you with a clean disposal.
Hire an Appliance Repair Company Today
If you are in need of a trash compactor repair in Richmond Hill, we here at Alpha Appliance Services Inc. can help! With our highly experienced team, we work hard to ensure all of the devices in your home are working at their absolute best, providing you with safe, highly efficient appliances. To learn more about our services and how we can help, be sure to call us at (416) 577-5354 today!
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