Whether you’re a first time homeowner, or simply facing challenges with maintaining your home, here are some tips that can help maintain the garbage disposal in your kitchen.

To unjam a clogged garbage disposal:

  • Turn off the power to the disposal at the circuit breaker.
  • Locate the small hexagonal hole on the bottom of the unit.
  • Insert the key that came with the garbage disposal, or an Allen wrench, into the hole.
  • Rotate the key back and forth to manually turn the disposal until you release the jam.

To remove bad odors in a garbage disposal:

  • Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar.
  • Allow the mixture to foam for a minute or two.
  • Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain, and let it sit for five minutes.
  • Turn on the cold water while running the disposal to flush it out.

Do this once a month and odors will be a thing of the past.

This First Time Homeowner tip brought to you by Merillat cabinets – the dream kitchen for the real world.

Need to replace your disposal altogether? Read our garbage disposal cost guide to learn about how much that project will set you back.

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Editorial Contributors
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Thomas Boni

Thomas Boni is Today’s Homeowner Media's Digital Content Director. He is an award-winning multimedia journalist, having served as editor-in-chief of various Alabama and Florida newspapers from 2006-2018. Thomas earned more than 30 regional, state and national journalism awards and accolades during his news career. He has a passion for engaging, fact-based content and a keen eye for detail. He joined Today's Homeowner Media in 2018 and received recognition on the Marquis Who's Who list in 2023. He earned his Bachelor of Arts at Spring Hill College in 2005.

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