If you have a nasty odor coming from your garbage disposal, and it doesn’t drain as quickly as it used to, you need a garbage disposal cleaner
However, since the garbage disposal gets such high use and is in close proximity with food, you want to be sure to use a drain cleaner specifically designed for the garbage disposal and its unique problems, such as the smell of moldy food.
In this PlumbingNav review, we cover:
What are the best drain cleaners for your garbage disposal?
What are the different types of drain cleaners for garbage disposals?
How do garbage disposal drain cleaners work?
What should I look for in the best drain cleaner for garbage disposal?
Review of the best garbage disposal drain cleaners
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Product
Our Top Pick
Our Top Pick
Glisten DP20B Disposer Care Foaming Garbage Disposer Cleaner
Maximize performance and prolong the life of your garbage disposal while also leaving a pleasant lemon scent with the Glisten garbage disposer cleaner.
Simply place one of the biodegradable packets down the disposal and rinse with hot water to clean the blades, sidewalls, pipes, and under the splash guard.
Is your garbage disposal clogged? This article might be helpful.
Items that can cause your garbage disposal to work slowly include:
Coffee grounds
Soap scum
Fibrous vegetables
Grease.
Fat
You will recognize that you need to clean your garbage disposal drain if you notice foul smells coming from the drain, the sink draining slowly, or a loss of function of the garbage disposal.
What Are The Different Types Of Drain Cleaners For Garbage Disposals?
Homemade Drain Cleaner
Homemade drain cleaners provide an economical option, especially if you already have the clog remover ingredients at home.
Create a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar (white vinegar if possible) and 1 cup of baking soda. Once the mixture starts to react, pour it down your sink before flushing with warm water. The mixture not only cleans the drain but helps eliminate odors.
You may also consider freshening up your drains regularly using sani sticks.
Chemical Cleaner
Chemical drain cleaners use chemicals to quickly eliminate a stubborn clog. However, they can damage plumbing by causing corrosion. They can also result in serious irritation if they come into contact with the eyes or skin. If ingested, call poison control immediately.
Some of the most common chemicals in these cleaners include:
Sodium hydroxide
Sulfuric acid
Bleach
Some people prefer not to use a chemical drain cleaner in the kitchen around their food. However, many are safe for garbage disposals when used properly.
Enzymatic Clogged Drain Cleaner
An enzymatic drain cleaner uses natural enzymes to eat organic waste, such as grease and moldy food.
Enzymatic drain cleaners are safe for your home, but even the best natural drain cleaners don’t work as well or as quickly as chemical cleaners.
Sink Plunger
A sink drain plunger can apply pressure to the garbage disposal, pushing material through to create an opening for proper water flow.
Plungers won’t damage your plumbing. However, they may not provide enough pressure to break up a tough clog or a deep clog.
Garbage Disposal Brush
A garbage disposal brush is specifically designed to fit into a standard garbage disposal. Once you insert the brush, you can move it around to clean the garbage disposal with the brush’s bristles.
Most brushes are easy enough to clean right in the sink once you finish using it.
Drain Snake/Auger
A plumber’s snake fits into your garbage disposal system to break up the clog inside.
While a relatively substantial investment, a powered auger can reach most clogs within 25 feet immediately and effectively with the proper know-how.
Drain cleaners break up the material in your garbage disposal using either chemicals or natural enzymes and bacteria.
Once you pour the cleaner down the garbage disposal, you will wait the appropriate amount of time (based on the instructions) and flush the drain cleaner with water. While most products recommend boiling water or hot water, you will find some products that suggest cold water.
Many drain cleaners continue to attach to your plumbing to continue eating at the material that may create clogs before they develop.
What Do You Look For In The Best Drain Cleaners For Garbage Disposal?
Fast-Acting
The best drain cleaner works quickly. An acidic drain cleaner can work in as little as 15 minutes. However, most enzymatic drain cleaners require 6 – 8 hours to work.
Safe to Use
Plumbing repairs get expensive, so you need a drain cleaner that will not damage your pipes. Metal pipes may experience corrosion, especially if you use a chemical-based liquid drain cleaner. Chemicals may also damage old pipes or plastic pipes.
Best Drain Cleaners For Garbage Disposal Reviewed
Now let’s explore our favorite units so you can decide on the perfect choice for your situation.
Maximize performance and prolong the life of your garbage disposal while also leaving a pleasant lemon scent with the Glisten garbage disposer cleaner.
Simply place one of the biodegradable packets down the disposal and rinse with hot water to clean the blades, sidewalls, pipes, and under the splash guard.
This 12-pack of pods in a resealable pouch uses plant- and mineral-based ingredients to clean your drains from organic materials that can lead to buildup while also leaving behind a mild citrus scent.
Natural ingredients won’t damage your pipes, and they are safe for use around children and pets.
Get both a cleaner foam and a brush in this garbage disposal kit that is sure to provide results when you have foul odors or a grease clog hindering your garbage disposal, even under the rim.
The kit comes with two bottles of foam cleaner and one 10.5” reusable brush.
Clean your garbage disposal instantly with this 11” garbage disposal brush. The bristles are specifically designed to provide a thorough cleaning without damaging your drain. They’re also easy to clean in the sink, so you can reuse the brush time and time again.
This heavy-duty natural formula uses natural enzymes to eat through natural clogs in your garbage disposal. Since the natural drain opener is safe for pipes, you can use this product anywhere in your home, including your septic tank and grease trap.
The 32 oz. bottle is enough for 16 applications.
Pros
All-natural and safe formula
16 applications
multi-purpose
Cons
Won’t dissolve synthetic materials
Requires 6 – 8 hours to work
Not for stubborn clogs
Final Thoughts On Drain Cleaners For Garbage Disposal
If you have a clogged garbage disposal, it’s important to resolve the issue before the grease clog gets worse or starts emitting a foul odor.
You have many options when it comes to opening up your garbage disposal drain. Chemical drain cleaners work the best, but they can damage your plumbing. Natural drain cleaners require more time, but they are safe for your pipes.
Our review should help you find the best drain cleaner for your garbage disposal!
