Your kitchen sink drain shouldn’t smell like last night’s dinner. But if your garbage disposal is holding onto grease, grime, or funky odors, it’s time for a deep clean.
Luckily, you don’t need fancy cleaners—just a few things you probably already have in your kitchen. Here are seven super-simple (yet totally effective) ways to clean your garbage disposal and keep it smelling fresh.
1. Ice Cube & Salt Scrub
Think of this as an exfoliating scrub—for your disposal. Ice cubes and coarse salt work together to clear out gunk and sharpen the blades.
How to do it:
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Pour 1 cup of coarse salt down the drain.
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Add a tray of ice cubes.
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Run cold water and turn on the garbage disposal.
Why it works: The ice hardens residue so it breaks off, while salt scrubs the disposal clean. No chemicals needed!
2. Citrus Peel Refresh
Lemons, limes, oranges—oh my! Citrus peels don’t just smell amazing, they also help clean and deodorize.
How to do it:
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Toss a handful of citrus peels into the disposal.
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Run cold water and turn on the disposal for 15–20 seconds.
Why it works: Natural citrus oils cut through grease and leave behind a fresh scent.
3. Baking Soda & Vinegar Fizz
The classic science fair volcano trick—right in your sink. This fizzy combo breaks down buildup and neutralizes odors.
How to do it:
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Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain.
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Follow with 1 cup of white vinegar.
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Let it fizz for 10–15 minutes, then rinse with hot water.
Why it works: The bubbling reaction lifts grime and grease from your disposal.
4. Dish Soap & Hot Water Flush
Sometimes, all you need is a little soap and heat to clear out grease and food residue.
How to do it:
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Squirt a generous amount of dish soap down the drain.
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Slowly pour in a kettle of boiling water while the disposal runs.
Why it works: The soap cuts through grease, while the hot water flushes it away.
5. DIY Vinegar Ice Cubes
This method gives you a two-in-one cleaning punch: ice scrapes away grime, while vinegar disinfects and deodorizes.
How to do it:
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Fill an ice cube tray halfway with water, then top off with white vinegar.
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Freeze.
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Drop a few vinegar ice cubes into the disposal and run it with cold water.
Why it works: The ice dislodges stuck-on debris, while vinegar kills bacteria and eliminates odors.
6. Hydrogen Peroxide Deep Clean
For a deeper clean, hydrogen peroxide is a game-changer. It disinfects and deodorizes without harsh chemicals.
How to do it:
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Mix 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup of water.
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Pour it down the drain and let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
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Run cold water and turn on the disposal.
Why it works: Hydrogen peroxide breaks down organic buildup and kills odor-causing bacteria.
7. Coffee Grounds Deodorizer (Use Sparingly!)
Got used coffee grounds? They absorb odors and add a mild scrubbing effect—but don’t overdo it, as they can build up in your pipes.
How to do it:
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Sprinkle a small handful of coffee grounds into the disposal.
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Run cold water and turn on the disposal for 10–15 seconds.
Why it works: Coffee grounds act like a natural deodorizer. Just be careful not to use them too often!
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