How to Eliminate Garbage Disposal Odor

The garbage disposal's job is simple: quickly and effectively dispose of food waste, all without a second thought. But what happens when your kitchen starts to smell more like a compost bin than a place to cook dinner? If your garbage disposal smells like, well, garbage — you’re not alone.

Texas Rooter gets countless calls about garbage disposal odors, and we're always happy to help. In this brief article, we share some tips on tackling that garbage disposal odor. We'll also share ways to help prevent the smell from returning. If you'd rather have a licensed plumber come out to investigate, then contact Texas Rooter to speak with a live representative today.

If your disposal has seen better days, we do offer garbage disposal replacement services as well. As a full-service plumbing company, we are proud to serve businesses as well as homeowners and property managers.

First, Let’s Get Rid of That Smell

Prevention is worth more than cure, but no one wants to read how to prevent smells when it's already up the nose. Let's get started with eliminating the smell. Try these tried-and-true methods:

Baking Soda & Vinegar: Half a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white vinegar should trigger a fizzy reaction. Let the magic happen for 10-15 minutes before rinsing down with hot water. This natural cleaner breaks down grime and neutralizes odors without harsh chemicals.
Citrus Peels: The previous method smells better, but not good. A few lemon, lime, and/or orange peels will smell zesty, though! Plus, the natural oils in the citrus will clean the blades.
Ice Cubes: For stubborn gunk and muck, we bring in the ice. Pour a couple of handfuls of ice cubes into the disposal and run the garbage disposal. As the ice breaks and melts down, it helps scrub the blades and inner chamber.

It's good habit to do these once a month, but the key is in preventing these odors in the first place. Let's look at some ways to do that.

Stop the Smell Before It Starts

Once you’ve freshened things up, the next step is preventing future odors. A garbage disposal is like a car in that it works better when maintained properly. Here are some key habits to help:

Run cold water while using the disposal and for 15–30 seconds afterward. This keeps food waste moving along the pipes instead of lingering.
Be careful with foods like celery, potato peels, and pasta. If these fibrous and starchy foods tangle or expand, they can create clogs and trap odors.
Don’t pour grease or oil down the drain. They solidify and coat the inside with sticky gunk that attracts food particles and bacteria.
Clean it weekly. Making disposal maintenance part of your regular cleaning routine can save you from future stink surprises.

Signs Your Garbage Disposal Needs More Than a Cleaning

No amount of baking soda or citrus peels will fix the problem if your disposal is making strange noises, vibrating excessively, or draining slowly. Familiarize yourself with signs of trouble so that you arrange a plumbing repair service on time. A timely repair today beats a premature replacement tomorrow any day of the week. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

Frequent clogs or jams
Persistent odors that return quickly after cleaning
Leaking from the base or under the sink
Unusual noises (like metal-on-metal grinding or humming)
No power (even after resetting)

If any of these sound familiar, then it may be time to call in a technician. The team at Texas Rooter will investigate the root cause of the issue and give you an honest and expert recommendation going forward. We come prepared to handle most repairs and many replacements the first time around.

Hire a Local Plumber Today

If you can't take the smell any longer and want a plumber come by ASAP, then keep calm and call Texas Rooter. Our live representatives and dedicated team are ready when you are.