No one wants a foul-smelling garbage disposal and lingering smells! No matter who you are and where you are, you will always seek new products and solutions to eliminate unpleasant smells from the garbage disposal.
You might find several chemical-based options that promise a solution, but nothing can beat the all-natural and eco-friendly solution we have in store for you! With a few lemons, you can now say goodbye to the unwanted garbage disposal smell and enjoy a refreshing odor in your kitchen all day!
So, let’s dive in and answer whether or not can you put lemons in the garbage disposal to eliminate unpleasant smells from your garbage disposal!
How Lemons Work
When cleaning using natural ingredients, citrus fruits top the list. That’s because they have amazing natural cleaning properties.
Citrus fruits like oranges, limes, and lemons contain citric acid. It is a powerful natural cleaner capable of breaking down grease and food particles. Moreover, the acidic properties of citrus fruit help you get rid of debris and add a refreshing and pleasant citrusy scent we all love.
Using lemons to clean your kitchen is not just a cleaning task; it’s a great idea for maintaining a fresh and inviting living space.
Lemons As A Natural Deodorizer
People mainly prefer using lemons for the garbage disposal because of their pleasant odor. The refreshing and zesty scent of lemon can quickly neutralize unpleasant odors.
Thanks to the natural oils present in lemon peels, lemons work efficiently in overpowering the foulest smell. For seafood dinner or grease, lemons can make your kitchen smell better! It is a natural air freshener we all need in your kitchen!
How To Use Lemons In Your Garbage Disposal: A Step-By-Step Guide
Now that we understand lemons’ cleaning power, let’s dig into the best way to utilize them in your garbage disposal. Follow these easy steps to ensure a fresh and clean kitchen sink.
Step #1: Gather Your Supplies
To get started, collect the following items:
- Small pieces of lemons or leftover lemon or lime peels
- Cold water or hot water
- Ice cubes
- A cup of white vinegar (optional)
- Baking soda (optional)
Step #2: Cut Lemons
Begin by cutting the lemons into smaller pieces or utilizing leftover lemon peels. Remember, the disposal functions optimally with smaller items, so avoid placing large pieces or whole lemons down the drain.
Step #3: Start With Cold Water
Before activating the garbage disposal, allow cold water to run for a few seconds. This initial water flow assists in breaking down any lingering food residues, facilitating a smoother grinding process.
Step #4: Turn On The Disposal
Now, switch on the garbage disposal and gradually introduce the small chunks of lemon. The presence of cold water aids in pushing these lemon pieces through the disposal system efficiently.
Consider adding a few ice cubes if you wish to enhance the cleaning process while maintaining the garbage disposal blades. The ice sharpens the disposal’s metal parts, ensuring optimal performance.
Step #5: (Optional) Add Vinegar And Baking Soda
When contending with particularly stubborn or foul odors, contemplate incorporating a cup of white vinegar and a light sprinkling of baking soda.
This combination elicits a fizzing reaction, breaking down stubborn greasy foods and particles. As a result, both your disposal and drain pipes emerge with a revitalized freshness.
Step #6: Rinse With Cold Water
Following a brief run of the garbage disposal, continue to let cold water flow for an additional 30 seconds. This concluding rinse assures that residual lemon bits or debris are thoroughly flushed from the kitchen sink drain line.
The result is a kitchen sink and garbage disposal that are not only odor-free but also exceptionally fresh.
The Benefits Of Using Lemons
- Environmentally Friendly Choice: Choosing lemons as a cleaning solution aligns with eco-conscious values. It’s a natural and chemical-free alternative. Because of this, it reduces carbon footprint and therefore promotes a sustainable planet.
- Citrus Scent: Citrus fruits like lemons, limes and oranges are known for their citrusy and refreshing aroma. And you can use this property instead of relying on artificial air fresheners. The fresh scent of these citrus fruits ensure you enjoy a welcoming scent whenever you arrive home.
- Cleaning and Deodorizing: Lemons are widely used in cleaning and deodorizing your garbage disposal. Thanks to the citric acid in them, they aid in breaking down grease, food particles and thus eliminate bad odors. As a result, your garbage disposal can smell fresh and clean every time.
- Lemon Peels in the Compost Pile: When combined with other kitchen waste like eggshells, food scraps, banana peels, and seafood shells, lemons offer several benefits to the compost mix. By grinding lemon along with other material, you help release natural oils when add a pleasant fragrance to compost pile. Note that you should never use plastic bag for your compost.
Potential Drawbacks
Although using lemons as a cleaning solution offer several benefits, there are a few drawbacks associated with their uses as well. These are:
- Clearing Clog: When used in the garbage disposal, citric acid in lemons helps in breaking down soft foods, such as pasta and rice. However, when the clogs result from hard materials, non-food items, or stringy or fibrous vegetable skins and peels (like celery stalks or fruit pits), using lemons may not be a good idea. Instead, it is better to seek professional help.
- Sensitive Plumbing System: Where the acidity in lemons are the true reason behind its several uses in cleaning, this attribute also pose challenges. It is particularly true when your plumbing system is old and the pipes are aging. Therefore, if you have an old plumbing infrastructure, it is better to consult professional cleaners to avoid major problems and damages to the pipes.
Natural Solutions For A Cleaner Environment
Regarding keeping your kitchen clean and eco-friendly, lemons are a good option. They’re not just for cleaning the garbage disposal; they can be used for many cleaning tasks around your home.
Using lemons for cleaning helps reduce waste and chemicals, making your home a healthier place to live.
Ways Of Using Lemons For Cleaning
- Citrus-Powered: Citrus peels and lemon rinds naturally contain citric acid, a remarkable cleaning agent. So, if you are tired of getting rid of soap scum, stains, or mat surfaces; lemon can work wonders for you. Simply mix lemon juice with water or a cup of vinegar and fill it in a spray bottle.
- Lemons and Baking Soda: Baking soda is yet another environmentally friendly cleaning agent that pairs perfectly with lemons. Simply mix it with lemon juice to create a thick paste, and you can use it to clean kitchen counters, sinks, or stainless steel appliances. It is particularly effective in removing stains from coffee grounds.
- Fragrance of Essential Oils: The essential oils in lemon and orange peels and orange rinds are the true reason behind their refreshing fragrance and aroma. You can put leftover peels and rinds in water and let it sit so that the oils infuse. Use it later as a natural air freshener.
- Natural Disinfectant: Thanks to the antibacterial properties of lemons, they are a perfect natural choice when cleaning wooden utensils, cutting boards, or appliances like microwaves. These are easy to use and naturally disinfect your home and environment.
Wrapping It Up
We all look for best practices when cleaning our home. However, some informed decisions like choosing natural ingredients for a chemical-free and environmental friendly home seems like a better option.
In choosing such choices, citrus fruits and peels offer a great way to clean your home and eliminate bad smells from your garbage disposal. Lemons are among great cleaners of nature and give you amazing results. So the next time you have citrus rinds at home, don’t throw them away!