Best Garbage Disposal Cleaner and Deodorizer
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Using at-home remedies like grinding ice cubes and lemon or orange peels to clean your garbage disposal will leave your sink clean and odor free. However, these methods are sometimes not enough to deeply clean and deodorize a smelly garbage disposal. This is where the best garbage disposal cleaner and deodorizer products come in.
As the name suggests, these commercial chemical products are specifically designed to dislodge buildup gunk, disinfect and remove odors from the walls and blades of your garbage disposal. In addition, they clear away food debris or bacteria that may be harboring inside the disposal, leaving it smelling fresh and running properly. Even better, most of these cleaners are environmentally friendly as they’re made from natural ingredients that will not harm your plumbing system or the environment.
So, if you’re dealing with stubborn odors coming from your garbage disposal, it’s about time you consider investing in a high-quality cleaner and deodorizer. But, where do you even start, considering the number of household drain cleaners in the market?
Well, this is a detailed review guide with some of the best garbage disposal cleaners to help you get started!
5 Best Garbage Disposal Cleaners and Deodorizers
1. Glisten Garbage Disposal Foaming Cleaner
Another interesting thing about this garbage disposal cleaner is that it’s environmentally friendly since it’s made from biodegradable ingredients. Moreover, it uses a bleach alternative and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, so it is quite safe to use in your kitchen. More importantly, the bleach alternatives give your garbage disposal some extra elbow grease with a much deeper clean.
In terms of packaging, this formula comes in 2 bags with a total of 8 packs. So, if you use one pack to clean your garbage disposal every week as recommended, this product can last for you for up to 2 months.
Also, the fact that this cleaner comes in pre-measured packets makes it very easy to use. After all, you only need to put one pack into the disposal, run water into the unit and turn it on. Doing so will break the biodegradable packet apart, releasing the cleaning solution inside in no time.
Best of all, the solution will leave a refreshing lemon scent that will persist for some time after the smelly food waste has been washed away. This will leave you with a disinfected and clean-smelling disposal to freshen up the entire kitchen!
Benefits
- Safe for all garbage disposals, septic tanks, and drains
- Large multipack for repeated use
- Cleans the entire garbage disposal
- Contains biodegradable ingredients
- Effective solution for eliminating foul odors and tough grunge
Drawbacks
- Can produce vapors that are unsafe to breathe
2. Green Gobbler Disposal Cleaner
In addition to being effective, these cleaning strips are relatively affordable compared to other garbage disposal cleaners. Plus, they are safe to use in any pipe or septic system that you put them in, making them a versatile option. For instance, apart from using them to clean and get rid of foul odors in your sink, septic system, bathtub, dishwasher, and garbage disposal. Therefore, if you have a lot of pipes in your home that need cleaning, Green Gobbler Disposal Cleaner is an excellent choice.
On the downside, these cleaning strips may require a couple of tries if you’re dealing with a stinky or dirty garbage disposal. This is because they are not well suited for cleaning a garbage disposal that has not been cleaned for years. Instead, they are designed for fixing light clogs, thanks to their scum- and fat-eating enzymes. This makes them a great option for routine garbage disposal cleaning.
Benefits
- Relatively easy to use
- Safe to use in any pipe and septic system
- Well priced
- Prevents unpleasant odors from occurring in garbage disposals
- Recommended for routine garbage disposal cleaning
Drawbacks
- Not ideal for cleaning exceptionally stinky or dirty garbage disposals
3. Plink Garbage Disposal Cleaner
The most interesting thing about this garbage disposal cleaner and deodorizer is that it works almost instantly. Not to forget that it’s extremely easy to use as it comes in a single, low-priced package with 20 pods. That way, you only need to drip these pods into your disposal while it’s running and let them do their work. To be precise, these pods break apart to clean your garbage disposal in just 15 seconds, leaving your kitchen sink odor-free! This makes them far more convenient than putting actual lemon or citrus peels down your kitchen sink to deodorize the disposal.
In addition, these pods are made up of a non-toxic and biodegradable formula. For that, it’s safe to use in all types of garbage disposals, septic, and plumbing systems.
Unfortunately, despite all these incredible features, these cleaning pods don’t clean your garbage disposal very deeply due to their small size. Moreover, their effects do not last long, even after using the 20 total pads in this pack as needed. Other than that, they’re a great option for cleaning and deodorizing garbage disposals that are not clogged or super stinky.
Benefits
- Non-toxic and biodegradable formula
- Prevents clogs with regular use
- Safe to use on all garbage disposals
- Cleans and deodorizes the disposal without scrubbing
Drawbacks
- Its effects do not last long
4. Affresh Garbage Disposal Cleaner
It’s also worth mentioning that these tablets have a powerful citrus-scented foaming formula. When used, they form a large amount of foam that eliminates all odor-causing residues from the disposal. However, this cleaner may need some scrubbing if your aim is to restore the grinding chamber to a ‘like-new’ condition.
As for the packaging, this garbage disposal cleaner comes in a bag with 3 tablets. The manufacturer recommends using one tablet monthly instead of weekly, meaning you can use them for up to 3 months.
Lastly, these garbage disposal cleaner tablets are EPA-certified and safe to use in septic tanks as well. So, if your garbage disposal drains into a septic tank, this easy-to-use formula from Affresh is a perfect choice. However, it’s not the best option if you’re looking for a cleaner for a heavy-duty cleaning job as it’s not the most potent disposal cleaner out there.
Benefits
- Recommended by popular garbage disposal brands like KitchenAid
- Powerful forming action
- Cleans hidden areas of your garbage disposal
- Easy to use
- Eliminates strong, unpleasant garbage disposal odors
Drawbacks
- Not the best option for heavy-duty cleaning jobs
5. Grab Green Garbage Disposal Freshener and Cleaner Pods
Getting back to the issue of eco-friendliness, these pods are free from harsh and unnatural ingredients. Instead, they’re made from mineral- and plant-based ingredients that loosen grime in your garbage disposal and leave it with a light tangerine scent. Even better, you can find this formula in many great scents.
However, despite being made from natural ingredients, these formulas can be harmful to eyes upon contact. For that, it’s good to be careful when using it to clean your garbage disposal.
Another issue with this garbage disposal cleaner is that it doesn’t deep clean the disposal as other products. Other than that, it’s effective at cleaning and getting rid of foul odors in your garbage disposal. Moreover, it’s the perfect option for those who are green-conscious and provides excellent results when used at least twice a week
Benefits
- Easy to use
- Free from harsh and unnatural ingredients
- Leaves a pleasant scent
- Eco-friendly
- Available in many great scents
Drawbacks
- Should be used twice a week for the best results
- Harmful to eyes
How to Choose the best garbage Disposal Cleaner and Deodorizer (Buyer’s Guide)
There are various factors you need to consider when looking for the best garbage disposal cleaner and deodorizer. Some of those factors are;
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Ease of use
The best garbage disposal cleaners use a wide variety of cleaning agents to adequately keep your disposals smelling clean and fresh.
Moreover, these products are available in various designs such as packets or pre-formed tablets to allow for instantaneous use. That way, you just need to throw them down the garbage disposal, turn it on and you’re good to go.
On the other hand, some garbage disposal cleaners come in powder form, which foams up and slowly gets rid of the gunk in the infected areas. As a result, these powders usually take longer than their pre-formed counterparts. However, they provide a more thorough clean, making them a perfect option for dealing with extremely stinky garbage disposals.
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Cleaning power
The cleaning power of a garbage disposal cleaner determines how much scrub you’ll have to do to remove the gunk effectively. Products with powerful formulas require little to no scrubbing, while others may require some elbow grease to get the desired results.
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Scent/ Deodorization
A good garbage disposal cleaner should address the issue of smelly garbage disposal by getting rid of these odors and replacing them with a pleasant scent. In most cases, garbage disposal cleaners leave a citrus scent since citric acid can help to break up hardened food waste. However, they also have other scented varieties to help you choose a scent that suits your needs.
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Safety
Since garbage disposal cleaners are basically chemical cleaners, some products may contain harsh ingredients. Avoid such cleaners and choose products made from natural ingredients instead to ensure the safety of you, your family, and the environment. Also, eco-friendly garbage disposal cleaners are safe to use in other plumbing systems and septic tanks.
People Also Ask
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What is a garbage disposal cleaner?
A commercial garbage disposal cleaner is a specially formulated solution that helps to deodorize and clean a garbage disposal. Also, it can help to break down any buildup and get rid of unpleasant odors caused by food waste in the disposal unit.
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How often should you use a garbage disposal cleaner?
Generally, it’s recommended that you clean your garbage disposal with your favorite garbage disposal cleaner and deodorizer once a month. However, this may vary from one cleaning product to another. For that, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your garbage disposal cleaner to keep your unit clean and functioning properly.
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Are garbage disposal cleaners safe to use?
Most garbage disposal cleaners are safe to use, provided you follow the manufacturer’s instructions properly. However, some products contain abrasive materials or harsh chemicals that can harm the environment or damage your garbage disposal.
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Can you use a garbage disposal to unclog a garbage disposal?
Although some garbage disposal cleaners can help to break down small clogs, they’re not designed to tackle severe blockages. So, if you’ve got a clogged garbage disposal, I’d recommend you try other methods of unclogging it instead of using a garbage disposal cleaner product.
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Can you use homemade solutions to clean a garbage disposal?
Yes, there are many homemade solutions that you can use to clean and deodorize your garbage disposal. For instance, you can use ice cubes, lemon juice, or a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda. However, these solutions may not be as effective as commercial garbage cleaner products!
Conclusion
Overall, there are many different types of commercial garbage disposal cleaners and deodorizers in the market. Make sure you choose a product that is safe to use in your garbage disposal and meets your needs like breaking down food waste buildup and eliminating odors. Moreover, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to achieve the best results.
