How can I permanently eliminate my stinky garbage disposal without having to replace it?

Question

I have tried fruit, but it's a temporary fix.

Answer 1

There are disposal cleaners on the market. There is no permanent fix, if you're putting food through the thing, you need to clear it out from time to time. Run a box of baking soda through the thing followed by a pint of vinegar everytime you notice an odor. After a few applications, you'll need to do it less and less frequently. Us the disposal as often as possible so food doesn't sit in it and rot and smell.

Answer 2

I used to have a problem with my disposal as well, which actually resulted in fruit flies. Ugh.... It was awful. I started running the disposal more regularly (with no food) as a means to clean it. Try running with extremely hot water and bleach or vinegar. They do make cleaners for the disposal, but I think bleach and vinegar both work well. Or you could even try lemon juice concentrate - the acid cleans the disposal and solves the odor. When I was trying to get rid of my fruit flies, I ran the disposal with hot water only for 3 minutes or so. I then poured bleach into the disposal and let it sit for 5 minutes or so. I then ran hot water again for 3-5 minutes. Fruit peels are good to maintain in between, but sometimes the disposal just needs a thorough cleaning. Good luck!

Answer 3

If you want to remove it, all you have to do is take it out and, replace the pipes with small sections that will revert the waste to the secondary pipe.
It's much easier to just keep it clean. If you don't want to buy the soaps that are for this purpose then, every day after the last meal drizzle a little Dawn bacteria soap into the disposer while it's running and maybe a little Bleach, use hot water and it'll clean it good and take the smell away.

Answer 4

All of the ideas that are given from lemons to ice to coffee and store bought products do work for a lil bit. I'll let you in on a secret that I never see posted. The black rubber "flapper" or whatever the name of it. It's the rubber seal that keeps you from from seeing in there, or from food flying back out. These things get a layer of "slime" on the under side that smells like death. Most of them that I have ran across just pull out and wedge back in. I'd wear gloves because you are not going to believe how gross it is. Anyhow pull it up and out. Wash it with hot water and bleach. If you can stand the thought of it you can put it in the dishwasher. Most people don't know that these can be removed and washed. All good ideas that people posted but I promise you that if your disposal still stinks after the lemon trick then you need to "de-slime" the underside of the rubber guard. Good Luck Hope this helps!!

Answer 5

"texasfixit" has the best answer. If the rubber tabs are damaged it is best to just toss it in the garbage and get a new one. Plumbing suppliers usually have them in stock as do some hardware stores. Just the name of the manufacturer is usually all you'll need to identify the part. If you're disposal is one of the models that do not have a removable splash shield, it is best to replace the entire unit.

Answer 6

If you want to remove the disposal altogether, it can be done. You will need to remove the adapter device which attaches the disposer to the sink, and then install a drain connecting to the existing drain pipe. The new drain fitting will probably need to be sealed in place with plumber's putty. The necessary gadgetry, and information on installing it, are available at any large home supplies store.

Answer 7

Yep. Make sure the wall switch is on Off and tape it in place. Pull the plug from the outlet. The circuit is now double dead. The new disposals reuse the power cord. Test the motor after switching over the cord by plugging it into a different outlet. Don't plug it in under the sink until installed and tested for water leaks. If OK then plug in, remove the tape and flip the switch.

Answer 8

Pour entire box of baking soda down disposal (no water) add 8oz white vinegar and cover tightly (both drains) wait 15-20 minutes, rinse with cold water.

Answer 9

First run some ice cubes through it..not only will it help knock away food, it will sharpen the blades. Then you can either buy the cleaner, or you can try some bleach, or you can pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain. Hope this helps.....

Answer 10

Have you tried lots of baking soda and very hot water?

By fruit I assume you mean citrus peels, that should help too....maybe something stuck in the trap is the souce of the smell....