DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaning Tablets
Get rid of garbage disposal odor with these all-natural DIY Disposal Cleaning Tablets, made with 5 simple ingredients.
If you’ve noticed a musty smell coming from the sink, it could be your garbage disposal! Just like any other kitchen appliance, the garbage disposal needs regular appliance care and occasional deep cleaning to stay in good working order.
Why Does The Garbage Disposal Smell Bad?
- Food Particles: Garbage disposals are designed to grind up food waste so it can be washed away, but small bits of food residue can still get lodged in the blades, pipes, or disposal unit itself. These trapped food particles decompose over time, creating a foul odor.
- Grease Buildup: It’s recommended to not put meats, fats, or oils down the disposal, as it can cause a greasy buildup that can coat the blades and trap food particles, leading to smells and potential clogs.
- Dull Blades: Over time and with regular use, garbage disposal blades can become dull, making them less effective at grinding food waste.
Homemade Garbage Disposal Cleaning Tablets
To protect your disposal and your septic system, it can be helpful to avoid dangerous chemicals or bleach. That’s why I love these DIY disposal cleaner tablets!
These disposal cleaning tabs are made with safe, simple ingredients that you might already have on hand. But don’t be fooled by the natural ingredients, these are powerful citrus-scented little wonders! Garbage disposal gunk and odors doesn’t stand a chance!
Add a cleaner tablet to your cleaning routine, and with monthly use you should start to see …and smell… a difference!
Ingredients
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- 1 cup Baking Soda – Baking soda deodorizes without masking scents, by absorbing odor-causing particles.
- 1/2 cup Salt – Not only does salt help with deodorizing, it also helps to scrub away gunk and odor-causing residues.
- 1/4 cup Castille Soap – Made without harsh chemicals or detergents, Castile soap helps to degrease the garbage disposal blades.
- 30 drops of Lemon Essential Oil – Lemon essential oil is said to have natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties, plus it creates a lovely citrus scent.
- 1/4 cup Water – This helps blend and bind everything together.
Helpful Kitchen Supplies
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cup
- 1-inch Ice Cream Scoop or Cookie Scoop
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat
Instructions
- Whisk together the baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Pour in the water and Castile soap and add your essential oil.
- Stir together until the mixture is paste-like in consistency.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Portion out the baking soda mixture into balls that are about 1 tablespoon in size.
- Allow to dry for at least 24 hours before storing or using.
Prep Tips
- Yield – This recipe will make about 20 tablets, when using 1 Tablespoon of the mixture for each. You can also make these in silicone molds or ice cube trays; keep in mind the yield might vary slightly depending on the size of your molds.
- Additional Cleaning – For best results, it helps to thoroughly scrub in and around the drain and garbage disposal baffles (the rubber flaps in the drain that separate the sink from the disposal). An old toothbrush is the perfect tool for the job! Always make sure the disposal is off first.
- For More Powerful Foaming Action – Pour in 1 cup of distilled white vinegar instead of water, after adding the cleaning tablets to the disposal. Wait for the foam to dissipate, then rinse with hot water while running the disposal.
How To Use Disposal Cleaning Tablets
- Add a handful of ice cubes to the garbage disposal.
- Run the garbage disposal for 15-30 seconds. The ice will help break up and dislodge build-up on the garbage disposal blades.
- Drop 1-2 cleaning tablets into the disposal and run the water for about a minute. Allow the tablets to fizz and dissolve.
- Flush with hot water while running the disposal.
More DIY Cleaning Products To Try
Garbage Disposal Cleaning Tabs Recipe (Printable How-To Card)
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DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaning Tablets
Equipment
- Mixing bowl and spoon
- Glass measuring cup
- 1-inch ice cream scoop
- Cookie sheet and parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup Baking Soda
- 1/2 cup Salt
- 1/4 cup Castille Soap
- 30 drops Lemon Essential Oil
- 1/4 cup Water
Instructions
How To Make
- Whisk together 1 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of salt in a medium mixing bowl. Pour in 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of Castile soap and the essential oil.
- Stir together until the mixture is paste-like in consistency.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Portion out the baking soda mixture into balls that are about 1 tablespoon in size. Mine made about 20.
- Allow to dry for at least 24 hours before storing or using.
How To Use
- Add a handful of ice cubes to the garbage disposal.
- Run the garbage disposal for 15-30 seconds. The ice will help break up and dislodge build-up on the garbage disposal blades.
- Drop 1-2 cleaning tablets into the disposal and run the water for about a minute. Allow the tablets to fizz and dissolve.
- Flush with hot water while running the disposal.
Notes
- Yield - This recipe will make about 20 tablets, when using 1 Tablespoon of the mixture for each. You can also make these in silicone molds or ice cube trays; keep in mind the yield might vary slightly depending on the size of your molds.
- Additional Cleaning - For best results, it helps to thoroughly scrub in and around the drain and garbage disposal baffles (the rubber flaps in the drain that separate the sink from the disposal). An old toothbrush is the perfect tool for the job! Always make sure the disposal is off first.
- For More Powerful Foaming Action - Pour in 1 cup of distilled white vinegar instead of water, after adding the cleaning tablets to the disposal. Wait for the foam to dissipate, then rinse with hot water while running the disposal.
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