DIY Cleaning Methods for Garbage disposal

How to Use Ice Cubes and Rock Salt to Clean Your Garbage Disposal

• Gather your supplies: You’ll need a couple handfuls of ice cubes and about half a cup of rock salt (the chunky kind you’d use for ice cream makers or de-icing sidewalks, not table salt).

 

• Turn off the disposal: Make sure the garbage disposal is switched off before you start. If you want to be extra cautious, unplug it or turn off the breaker. Safety first—nobody wants a surprise spin cycle.

 

• Add the ice and salt: Pour the ice cubes into the disposal, then sprinkle the rock salt right on top. The ice helps knock loose bits of food and grime, while the salt acts as a gentle abrasive to help scrub the inside of the grinding chamber.

 

• Run cold water: Turn on a steady stream of cold water. Cold water helps keep any grease or fat solid, so it’s more likely to get flushed away instead of sticking around.

 

• Turn on the disposal: Flip the switch and let the disposal run for about 30 seconds, or until the ice is gone. You’ll hear a lot of crunching and grinding—that’s normal. The noise means the ice and salt are doing their job.

 

• Flush it out: Once the ice is gone, let the cold water run for another 15–30 seconds to help wash away any loosened debris.

 

• Wipe the splash guard: If your disposal has a rubber splash guard (the flappy thing at the drain opening), give it a quick wipe with a damp cloth. Food gunk loves to hide here, and it’s often the source of lingering odors.

• What’s happening here? The ice and salt combo helps dislodge stuck-on bits and gives the grinding chamber a mild scrubbing. It’s a mechanical cleaning method—no need for extra products or complicated steps.

 

• What it won’t do: This method is for cleaning out debris and buildup. It won’t address deeper plumbing issues, lingering odors from trapped grease, or anything that requires a more thorough cleaning. For those, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves a bit more.

Borax and Hot Water: Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

• Gather your supplies: You’ll need borax (a powder often found in the laundry aisle), a kettle or pot for hot water, a measuring spoon, and a cleaning brush or old toothbrush. Make sure the garbage disposal is turned off before you start poking around.

 

• Sprinkle borax into the disposal: Use about 2-3 tablespoons of borax. Carefully sprinkle it directly into the disposal opening. Borax is a cleaning booster that helps break down grime and gunk, but it’s not a disinfectant or sanitizer.

 

• Let it sit: Give the borax about 15-20 minutes to do its thing. This gives it time to help loosen up any stuck-on debris or buildup inside the disposal. If you notice a funky smell, this step can help with that, too.

 

• Boil water: While you wait, heat up about 2-3 cups of water until it’s just off the boil. Hot water helps flush away loosened grime and any leftover borax powder.

 

• Flush the disposal: Carefully pour the hot water down the drain in a slow, steady stream. This helps wash away the borax and any loosened debris. If you have a double sink, plug the other side to keep the hot water focused on the disposal side.

 

• Scrub if needed: For stubborn spots or lingering odors, use a cleaning brush or old toothbrush to gently scrub the rubber splash guard (the flappy part at the top of the disposal). This area loves to collect gunk. Rinse with more hot water when you’re done.

 

• Rinse and repeat (if necessary): If things still seem a little grimy, you can repeat the process. Just don’t go overboard—borax is a cleaning agent, and a little goes a long way.

 

• Final tip: Always run cold water for a few seconds after using your disposal in daily use. This helps keep things moving and prevents buildup.