What Part of my Garbage Disposal Smells?

Problem Parts

• Two parts of your garbage disposal can cause issues with smells: the main interior portion, where you place food, and the rubber gasket of the disposal that fits over your drain. Food buildup inside the disposal can spoil and attract bacteria. Food can be splashed up onto the gasket, causing the same problem.

Solution

• If the bad smell is coming from the main part of your disposal, peel a lemon or an orange and place the rinds in the disposal. Grind them for about five seconds, then pour 1 cup white vinegar into the disposal. Let the mixture sit, then grind it and flush it away with water. To get rid of bad smells coming from the rubber gasket, remove it and wash it with soap and water. If you cannot remove the gasket, disconnect your disposal's power cord and reach inside the drain, using a sponge to scrub the gasket and remove food buildup.

Prevention

• Stop bad smells in your garbage disposal by always running plenty of water while the disposal is in use, and continue to run water after to flush all food bits down the pipes. Every so often, fill your sink with soapy water and then let it drain while running the disposal.