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How To Clean a Garbage Disposal in Your Florida Home


Plumbing

Under the sink garbage disposal unit.

Keeping your garbage disposal clean is an essential part of your plumbing maintenance routine to optimize system performance and prevent unpleasant odors in your Florida home. Over time, clogs and bad odors can form due to food debris and grease buildup, which can significantly impact the operation of your disposal. Regular cleaning not only helps avoid these problems, but it can also extend the lifespan of your disposal and save you on repair costs and energy bills. In this guide, our team at Iceberg Home Services covers simple tips homeowners can implement to properly clean and maintain their garbage disposal.

When To Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Knowing when to clean your garbage disposal is key to keeping it in top shape and preventing any future issues. You should clean your disposal regularly to maintain its performance. Ideally, this should be done at least once a month for best results, but the frequency may vary depending on usage. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s time to clean your garbage disposal:

  • Frequent clogs
  • Slow draining
  • Visible food particles or debris
  • Foul odors
  • Loud, unusual noises during operation

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

When it’s time to clean your garbage disposal, keep this effective list of steps handy for reference:

  1. First, turn off your garbage disposal and disconnect it from the power source to avoid any accidents.
  2. Use a light to ensure there are no objects stuck in your drain. If there are, use tongs or pliers to remove them.
  3. Then, restore power to your disposal. Plug the sink, fill it with hot water, and remove the drain stopper, letting all of the water flush through while the disposal operates.
  4. Next, disconnect the power again. Clean the rubber disposal baffle and grinding chamber with dish soap and an abrasive sponge to remove any gunk buildup.
  5. From here, you can pour half a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain and plug it in for at least 10 minutes. Remove the plug and flush the mixture out with warm water while running the garbage disposal.
  6. Drop a handful of ice and coarse salt down the disposal and run it to sharpen the blades.

When To Call a Professional Plumber

If you’ve cleaned your disposal and it still isn’t functioning properly, it’s time to call a professional for assistance. An expert plumber specializes in detecting the root cause of the problem and determining the best action plan to quickly restore proper function to your system, improve convenience and energy efficiency, and prevent issues from worsening.

Call Us for Garbage Disposal Repairs

Iceberg Home Services is a family-owned and -operated company that provides industry-leading garbage disposal solutions in Central Florida. We offer 24/7 emergency service, same-day appointments, no overtime fees, and free estimates on replacements and service calls for your benefit. We also deliver a range of discounts and coupons to make the process as stress-free as possible.

Schedule expert plumbing work with the Iceberg Home Services team today!

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