What Happens If You Put Bleach Down A Garbage Disposal

Whether you've got an odorous drain or are worried about germs in your kitchen, there are tons of high-powered cleaners you can grab to tackle the job. However, that doesn't mean all cleaners are created equal or are safe for the inner workings of your kitchen's garbage disposal. Some popular chemical drain cleaners, like Drano, can do serious harm.

Another thing to consider when you're tackling odor coming from the garbage disposal? Make sure that there's not a more significant problem causing the issue first. According to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, you should take special note of things like a sewer or rotten egg smells, water backing up, or odor coming from several drains throughout the house. These are surefire signs that there's something more serious going on, and you need to call a professional plumber to evaluate the issue.

If none of this applies to you, read on to find out what happens when you pour one of cleaning's heaviest hitters down your garbage disposal.

When you need to kill germs and eliminate odors — and you want the job done right the first time — chances are you're going to reach for bleach. While it works wonders cleaning the fixtures in your bathroom, what happens if you pour bleach down the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink? You may be cautious about using something as potent as the chlorine-based cleaner, but remember moderation is key.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing says bleach can work wonders for combatting drain odor. It usually wipes out any traces of the smell, and it's safe to use in moderation. When cleaning your garbage disposal with bleach, you want to make sure you're using milder bleach or dilute regular bleach yourself with water. While pouring the cleaner down your drain, you want to keep the water running. Surprisingly, cold water is better for the health of your pipes than scalding hot water. And since moderation is key, you only need a little bit of bleach to go a long way when fighting odor and breaking down food stuck in the garbage disposal.