Why is that awful dead fish smell coming from the garbage disposal? That’s a place no one wants to smell bad odors. You’ll want to get rid of that stink ASAP!
Our kitchens have so many great inventions that allow us to spend less time doing work and more time enjoying life. One of these great inventions is the garbage disposal, which deals with food scraps and helps to prevent kitchen sink clogs. It’s also a place that can start to smell with lingering bad odors if left unattended. It’s important to know how to clean your garbage disposal, get rid of the bad smells, and prevent these unpleasant odors from returning in the future.
Often a combined build-up of grease, soap scum, and food particles (aka rotten food) contribute to this horrendous odor in your garbage disposal. If you’re not using enough water when running the disposal, over time an accumulation of food and grease will occur. This build-up or clog creates a bad odor that stinks up your kitchen.
Remove the Clog
Here are the steps to safely unclog your disposal. When cleaning the disposal, NEVER put your hand in the drain, even if it’s turned off. First, unplug the disposal. Next, shine a flashlight into the drain to see if you can locate a large clog or any blockages. Using tongs, long tweezers, or pliers try to remove the blockage. You can now plug the disposal back in. Turn the water on first, and then the disposal, run for a minute or more. Finally, turn the disposal off first, then the water.
Clean the Disposal
To clean your disposal, put a plug in the disposal drain, fill the sink with several inches of water (3-4 inches), add two teaspoons of liquid dish soap, swish around to create suds, and then unplug the drain. Turn on the garbage disposal and let it work through the soapy water, turning off the disposal when all of the water has drained out. It’s also a good idea to scrub the parts that contribute to this bad smell. Using a dish brush pour liquid dish soap on the brush. Next, scrub the accessible parts, including the rim and sink basin inside the drain.
Keeping Your Disposal Clean & Fresh
To keep your disposal clean and fresh try grinding up some ice cubes in it. This will help clean the blades and freshen the chamber. Some people will even grind up an apple for a fresh scent. If you try all of the steps above and are still having smells coming from your sink, you may have a more serious clog that will require a professional plumber. Keep the stinky dead fish odor out of your kitchen by removing any clogs in your disposal, cleaning the disposal, and learning ways to prevent bad smells in the future. Michael’s Plumbing is your Central Florida plumbing expert, call us for all your plumbing needs. We are local clog experts! Call us at (407) 219-9772 or contact us online.