The Easy Way To Clean Your Garbage Disposal

The post-holiday haze has lifted, and February has me itching to tackle all those sneaky spots we forget about during the year. You know the ones - like that garbage disposal that's been quietly judging our holiday cooking adventures. 

Between school lunches and dinner prep, our kitchen works overtime. But I've got a five-minute fix that's been a total game-changer for keeping things fresh - self cleaning disposal tablets. These cleaning tablets are ridiculously simple to use, and I'll walk you through my foolproof method below.

Pro tip: While you're giving your disposal some love, light a candle nearby. I keep my Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Soy Candle right by the sink - there's something about that calming scent that makes even kitchen cleanup feel a bit more luxurious!

Why You Need to Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Just like my coffee maker, your garbage disposal needs some love too.

• Cleaning your disposal gets rid of the food build-up that can make your kitchen stinky.
• Gunk in your disposal can lead to clogs, which are a major pain. Regular cleaning helps keep things running smoothly.
• A clean disposal means fewer issues and a longer lifespan.

How to Use Self-Cleaning Tablets

1. Get Your Stuff:
   
   • Self-cleaning disposal tablets
   • Hot water
   • Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Soy Candle 
2. Pop and Fizz:
   
   • Drop one tablet into your garbage disposal.
3. Let it Work its Magic:
   
   • Turn on the cold water for about a minute, letting it run gently. This helps activate the tablet.
4. Wait and See:
   
   • Let the tablet do its thing for the time recommended on the package. Usually, it’s just a few minutes. You might hear some fizzing and bubbling – that’s the tablet working its magic!
5. Rinse and Repeat (If Needed):
   
   • After the recommended time, turn on the hot water and let it run for another minute or two to flush everything away. If your disposal is particularly gross, you might want to repeat the process with another tablet.

Tips and Tricks

• I try to clean my disposal every couple of weeks, or whenever I notice that smell creeping back.
• Don’t pour grease down the drain, and try to cut up large food scraps before putting them in the disposal. Even better, throw them in the compost!
• After cleaning, toss in some citrus peels (lemon, orange, etc.) and run the disposal for a few seconds for a nice, fresh scent.

I love that such a forgotten spot to clean can be so easy to maintain! These quick five-minute fixes are exactly what our busy kitchens need. And remember, a little lavender candle makes everything feel more put together - even if there are still breakfast dishes in the sink!

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