I adore my garbage disposal. Until about three years ago, I was putting raw garbage into old shopping bags, tying the handles and taking it out to the garage to put in our large waste bin. I couldn't stand having it in the garbage in the kitchen. Raw garbage stinks within hours (sometimes minutes), causing you to have to change garbage bags over and over.
When we got our disposal, everything changed. Everything became so much easier. I actually enjoyed peeling carrots and potatoes. Clean-up was a breeze. Then, a couple months later, I smelled something. I could actually smell this horrible odor when I opened up the doors under the sink. I could smell it through the pipes. That was the day I learned you needed to clean a disposal, too. I know, I know. Dumb, right? Growing up we never had a disposal. This was my first one. How was I to know?
Thankfully, I've learned a thing or two since then, and now, I actually make my own freshener tablets to keep the stench away for good.
All you need to do is grab a muffin or brownie pan. If you don't have either of those, just use an ice cube tray. Slice up some lemons and limes and place a few in each of the cups.
Now, get some distilled white vinegar.
Fill each cup up almost to the top. Are you having fun yet? I sure am. These tablets are so easy to make, and I love the smell of lemons and limes. You could even use orange peels if you'd prefer. Heck, along with the fruit put in a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil for each of the tablets!
Take your tin and carefully place it into the freezer. Leave it in the freezer for at least 24 hours to ensure the vinegar freezes completely.
Garbage Disposal Tablets
Materials
- muffin or brownie pan
- lemons
- limes
- distilled white vinegar
Instructions
- All you need to do is grab a muffin or brownie pan. If you don't have either of those, just use an ice cube tray.
- Slice up some lemons and limes and place a few in each of the cups.
- Now, get some distilled white vinegar. Fill each cup up almost to the top.
- Take your tin and carefully place it into the freezer. Leave it in the freezer for at least 24 hours to ensure the vinegar freezes completely.
Notes
- Use Citrus for Freshness: Incorporating slices of lemons and limes not only adds a pleasant scent but also helps to neutralize odors in your garbage disposal.
- Freeze Completely for Effectiveness: Ensure the distilled white vinegar freezes completely by leaving the muffin or brownie pan in the freezer for at least 24 hours. This ensures the tablets solidify properly for effective use.
- Alternative Mold Options: If you don't have a muffin or brownie pan, an ice cube tray can serve as a suitable alternative for molding the garbage disposal tablets. Just adjust the quantity of ingredients accordingly to fit the smaller compartments.
Donald
Thank so much! I would love for you to share in our party affiliation. It closes tonight and will start again on Sunday morning. If you get the chance tonight, please link and share your ideas with everyone!
Anne Cao
Wow, what an awesome idea! Thank you so much for sharing with us. Do keep your garbage disposal clean. Pour a little dish soap inside and let the garbage disposal run for a minute or so with some cold water after washing dishes.
Sara
Thanks for the tip, Anne! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helen
What a good idea. It always smells good when I put orange peel down it so will defo be trying these out.
Sara
Oranges, limes and lemons always smell great going down the disposal! Hope you try it, Helen!
Tiffany Hamilton
These are life changing!
Sara
Thanks, Tiffany! Your comment made me giggle. 🙂
Savage Blog
It doesn't sharpen the blades,disposals work by grinding the food scraps. What happens is it clears all the grooves in the impeller and body of the disposal. Most manuals recommend using about 2 cups of ice and some rock salt as a maintenance cleaning procedure.
Lisa Bld
Ice does not sharpen your disposal blades. Please let them thaw all the way before turning your disposal on!
Ellen
I grew up without a garbage disposal also, and used to put everything down the disposal instead of putting in the trash. After the disposal stopped up, the plumber told us that the job of the disposal is to take care of small scraps that were missed when putting in the trash. He said that potato peels are the worst thing to put in there because they stick to the sides. Now everything goes in the trash, and no more urgent calls to the plumber! I put lemon rinds down every now and then to keep it fresh, and ice to help keep blades sharp.
Sara
Ellen, I never thought about the potato peels. Seems like that would be so easy for the disposal to take care of. Them sticking to the sides makes sense. So far, so good with the disposal at our house, but something to definitely keep in mind! Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Sara
Hi Samantha - I'm not so sure. I think the peels of the lemons and the limes are really what bring the majority of the citrus scent out of the fruit. Don't forget to add the baking soda when you use them! Good luck and thanks so much for your kind words!
samantha baker
Hey Sara, what an awesome idea,
just a thought, do you think it would work just the same if was just lime juice and lemon
juice mixed with the vinegar?
Thanks for your awesomeness!!
cooking with curls
Wow, what an awesome idea! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Best of the Weekend. Pinned to our party board. 🙂
Sara
Thanks so much, Lisa! Love your work over at Cooking With Curls!
Amy W
I just found your post and LOVE this idea! I've put just a lemon slice down the disposal before but I like your idea of the lemon, lime, vinegar and baking soda. I'm pinning this for sure. I'd love for you to share at our link party. It closes tonight and will start again on Sunday morning. If you get a chance tonight, please link up and share this smart idea with everyone!
http://www.delineateyourdwelling.com/2014/03/link-it-or-lump-it-no-28.html
Sara
Thanks, Amy! And thanks for the invite to your party. I have it on my schedule for Sunday!
Cathy Compeau
Thanks for sharing at the Happiness Is Homemade Link Party! Pinning to the party board and can't wait to see what happiness posts you share next week! Have a terrific week!
Cathy
APeekIntoMyParadise.com
Sara
Thanks for your pin, Cathy!
Marie Blackburn
Brilliant - I am definitely making these! So I glad I found you over at the Link Party Palooza.
Marie @ The Interior Frugalista
Sara
Thanks for stopping over to visit, Marie!
Joy Bee
I love this idea Sara. I hate the disposal smell I have tried all sorts of things to keep it clean but this actually sounds like it will work. I can't wait to try these. (seen on Whimsy Wednesday)
Sara
Hi Joy! Thanks for stopping over! The tablets do help to freshen - using them daily will produce the best results. Hava a great night!
Jaren
Just ran across your blog, and you have some great stuff! I'm a new follower!
Sara
That's fantastic, Jaren. Thanks so much!