This Dollar Tree Item Is A Game-Changer For A Fresh-Smelling Garbage Disposal

Perhaps one of the most underappreciated appliances in your home, your garbage disposal has the heavy job of getting rid of food waste and other debris from your plates, grinding it up to make it easier to pass through your pipes. The consistent grinding action means the food matter can occasionally get caught in the splash guards. The purpose of these rubber flaps is to prevent food and water from splashing upward as the blades spin, as well as stop larger objects from going down the disposal. If you don't remove the stuck food, it can decay and cause a stinky garbage disposal.

To stop that from happening, just head to Dollar Tree and grab a baby bottle brush to effortlessly scrub up that disposal. Just like your garbage disposal, the splash guard needs proper maintenance to ensure it lasts years. Consistent wear and tear from daily use can cause quite a buildup of debris, which means you should clean it at least once a month. While toothbrushes are commonly used for cleaning the disposal, this bottle brush hack lets you cover a bit more ground.

Always use caution when sticking anything down your garbage disposal and unplug it before cleaning. Because you'll use hot water, you might want to wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the water and any food debris you may dislodge. There's no need to get a special disposal cleaner either, because you can use any dish soap you may have on hand. You only need to squirt a few drops of dish soap into the drain, and follow it up with a stream of hot water.

Dipping the bottle brush down the sick, swirl it around, letting the bristles scrub the top and bottom. Check to make sure you remove any accumulated debris and slime from the splash guard, then rinse well with hot water. Rinse the brush at least twice to remove all of the collected particles, then store it for your next cleaning session.

This Dollar Tree hack is one of the best ways to clean your garbage disposal because it's affordable and easy to do. You can help extend the life of your disposal and its components by following a few practical tips. First, always run cold water, never hot water, when you are running your disposal to rid of food. The flow of water will help move the particles through during processing plus ensure the disposal doesn't overheat. Keep the water running at least one minute to ensure everything goes down correctly. If you use hot water, you run the risk of making any grease liquify, making it harder for the disposal to cut through and ultimately clogging your pipes.

Keeping your disposal's blades clean is as easy as making a cup of ice each month. Put water and a few drops of lemon juice in the ice cube tray, then freeze. Drop the cubes down the disposal, then run until you grind all the ice. The ice helps scrub away tiny stubborn particles, while the lemon juice is a gentle deodorizer. Avoid using whole lemons, as the peel and an excess of citric acid may damage the blades.