Stinky Garbage Disposal? There's One Spot You're Likely Overlooking

You've scrubbed your sink, cleared out spoiled food debris, and used your tried and true odor-fighting cleaning products — but your garbage disposal still stinks. Before you throw in the towel, you should know that you may have overlooked one garbage disposal component known to be a common source of stubborn odor. The machine's rubber flange, also known as a rubber collar or splash guard, might be the cause of that rotten food smell that you cannot seem to get rid of.

This splash guard leaves a small opening over your garbage disposal so that you can scrape food scraps inside. Once you turn the machine on, this protective component acts as a shield that prevents the food from spraying out of the inside of the sink. Unfortunately, food can get stuck onto the rubber and will even build up over time if you neglect to clean it. It might appear clean on the outside, but food scraps easily become stuck on the opposite side of the splash guard, which is hidden out of sight. Luckily, it's pretty simple to clean this component yourself. As long as you keep up with removing spoiled food from your rubber collar routinely, you should be able to keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh.

You can clean your garbage disposal's splash guard using products you already have at home. Before you get started, you will need to gather cleaning gloves, dish soap, a bowl, and a small scrubbing brush or toothbrush. First, you will need to create a cleaning solution in your bowl using hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Next, put on your gloves to protect your hands from the bacteria on the rubber splash guard. Now you are ready to begin scrubbing the component. If your splash guard is removable, simply take it off and use your brush and the cleaning solution to scrub both sides.

If you cannot remove your splash guard, you can instead start out by using the brush and cleaning solution to clean each section of the outside of the component. When you are done, lift the guard back so that the inside of the rubber is exposed, and use your brush to scrub it clean. Repeat this process section by section until the entire component is free of any stuck on food. Once finished, rinse the splash guard thoroughly using hot water. You may have come across many hacks teaching you how to clean your garbage disposal, but they are not of much use if you do not also take time to freshen up your splash guard.

At this point, you might be curious about what causes food debris to emit such strong odors in your garbage disposal over time. As the food hidden behind your splash guard rots, bacteria like yeast and mold begin to develop. This is classified as spoilage bacteria, and it causes food to decompose and emit an unpleasant scent that can be found in many sinks. After using your garbage disposal, you might notice that the area surrounding the machine does not typically smell foul immediately. This is because it can take a while for odor-causing bacteria to develop.

Along with thoroughly cleaning your splash guard, you can also tackle this stench by ensuring you clean your garbage disposal drain the right way. This requires a bit more than just turning the machine on and allowing water to run through the drain. To clean your garbage disposal properly, start out by pouring ½ cup of baking soda down the side of your sink where the machine is installed. Next, heat ½ cup of vinegar and pour it down the drain along with the baking soda. At this point, you should notice a foam developing in the drain. Allow this to sit for a few minutes before washing it away with hot water. Repeat this cleaning process as needed to prevent food from leading to stubborn kitchen odor.