Do you have to clean a kitchen waste disposal unit?

Question

We have a waste disposal unit in our flat that we rent and are not sure if u have to clean them out every so often. or if the waste goes straight into the system.

Answer 1

Nope. The food is ground up and then it flows right through the drain pipes with the rest of the water. Its adviseable to run orange or lemon peelings and a box of baking soda through it every so often to keep it fresh smelling. But other than that, it does not have to be cleaned out.

Answer 2

You mean the kind in the sink that looks almost like a regular drain? The waste does go straight into the system, so you don't have to 'clean it out' in that way. However, after a few weeks (or days, if it's hot and muggy) you'll notice a distinct and unpleasant odour near the sink that isn't the dish rag or sponge. Take a cleaning brush and lightly scrub any surface you can reach. Don't forget the underside of the rubber splash guard, if you have one. A little baking soda a couple of times a week helps, too. So does lemon-flavoured drink powder. Use just a little water with that.

Be sure to run plenty of water when you use the disposal. It's also a good idea to run the water for 3-5 seconds after the disposal sounds like it's finished. This helps make sure all the little bits went down the drain.

Answer 3

The baking soda and any citrus peel do a nice job at making the drain smell clean. You can also run a tray of ice cubes until they are all crushed. Once a month or so I remove the splash guard and wash it in hot soapy water. You'll be surprised how dirty it gets. Run lots of water while the food is being ground up and for a minute when you turn the unit off.

Answer 4

2 things you need to do to disposals.
cut a lemon or 2 into wedges (about 6 ) and grind in disposal. This prevents it from smelling and
the other is to throw down a tray or 2 of ice cubes every now and then. This sharpens the blades so food gets ground up good.

Answer 5

Nope...I have had one for 18 years and never clean it..They do have drain cleaner for disposals but I wouldn't do it. It is a good idea to run hot water in it for about a minute every week...gets all the crud out of it.Oh I do the orange peel thing too

Answer 6

Every so often send a lemon or something citric down to be chopped up like oranges, bergamots, key limes etc. down the disposal. Not only will it clean it; kitchen will smell great.

Answer 7

Ours has had daily use for 16 years with no problems, and no smells. It is esential to run plenty of water into it, during use, and for a few seconds after the grinding noise has stopped, before switching it off. Ours is a Tweeny, continuous feed model, you can also get 'Batch Feed' models, same applies.

Answer 8

There is a commercial disposal cleaner at Walmart.

Answer 9

You should not, unless something like a bone, or a spoon is in it.But you should periodically put ice cubes & egg shells in it to sharpen the teeth.

Answer 10

Once In A While Everyone Should It Will Begin To Stink.