Having a working garbage disposal is one of the great conveniences of modern kitchens, but when rust builds up inside your disposal, it can cause problems. Rust affects the unit’s functionality and often causes noxious odors and unpleasant stains on sinks or countertops – ultimately making your kitchen less than ideal.
You can remove rust from garbage disposal by cleaning them with home goods such as baking soda, lemon, vinegar, and hot water. These products, combined with water, can do the job in under one hour.
Fortunately for homeowners, there are many easy ways to remove rust from your garbage disposal and get things back to normal. In this article, I’ll walk you through all the steps necessary to restore your rusty garbage disposal and provide tips that will help keep it clean in the future!
1. One Cup of Baking Soda – Sit for One Hour
The first step is to mix a cup (180 grams) of baking soda with around one cup (240 ml) of warm tap water until fully dissolved.
After that, the baking soda solution should be poured into the garbage disposal and left for fifteen minutes to work on the rust. Next, it is necessary to plug up the drain and fill it with hot tap water before turning on the garbage disposal for about five seconds.
Afterward, all of the remaining baking soda mixtures will need to be drained out, and then one more rinse of hot tap water should be done to ensure everything has been properly cleaned and removed. This process can repeat itself if rust spots remain after completing these steps.
2. Salt and a Flow of Cold Running Water
Removing rust from garbage disposal is easy and takes just a few minutes. Start by sprinkling salt down the disposal and turning it on, making sure to allow any food particles to be swept away in the water.
Next, run cold water down the disposal for one or two minutes. This will help loosen rust particles that may have accumulated in the blades or other appliance areas.
You can then use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe away any visible rust while being careful not to poke around too much with a brush or other instruments, as this could cause damage. When finished, do a final rinse, and you should find that your garbage disposal is running as well as new!
3. Cut Lemon or Lime Pieces
One easy way to restore your garbage disposal to its original condition is by using lemon or lime pieces or juice.
First, take half of a lemon or lime and cut it up into thin slices. Place these slices inside the garbage disposal, followed by running cold water for about 30 seconds to allow the citrus juices to dissolve any rust that may be present.
Once finished, cut off the power supply and use a brush or scrubber to scrub away any remaining rust particles. Finish off by running warm water with dishwashing soap through your garbage disposal for approximately one minute to ensure all remaining rust has been removed.
This simple method is an effective way to restore your garbage disposal without spending extra money on harsh chemicals or professional services.
4. Vinegar and Hot Water Mixture
Rust on garbage disposal can be a severe issue since rust build-up that is not taken care of can lead to grime, clogs, and blockages. Thankfully, vinegar and hot water can easily remove rust and keep your garbage disposal running as smoothly as ever.
Start by boiling a few cups of water in a pot on the stove or kettle. Once the water is boiling, pour it into the sink, measure out half a cup (120 ml) of white vinegar and pour that in too. Allow the mixture to sit for about 10 minutes before stirring for a few moments to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Using gloves and caution not to be burned by any steam or pooled liquid, take an old toothbrush or small scrub brush and begin working away at any areas covered in rust. If needed, add more hot water or vinegar as you work so that you don’t run out prematurely or allow it to cool too quickly.
This process will remove the majority of issues caused by rust while also leaving your sink smelling fresh.
5. Cleaning Excessive Rust Spots in and Around Your Sink
Alternatively, you would also want to clean rust around your sink. Removing rust spots from a sink can be tedious, but keeping your sink looking bright and shiny is essential. Again, a sponge or scrub brush is the best way to remove any rust spots.
Start by wetting the sponge or brush with diluted vinegar and water, then gently scrub over the rust spot until it begins to dissolve. If your rust spot is stubborn, you could also try using baking soda and water paste – apply the paste over the area and leave it to sit for five or six minutes before cleaning.
Either method should remove most of the rust, but repeating the process may do the trick if some remains. Lastly, remember to rinse any cleaner residue with warm soapy water before drying with a cloth so that no damage is caused to your sink.
How to Prevent Your Garbage Disposal From Rusting
Preventing your garbage disposal from rusting can be reasonably straightforward.
The most important thing to remember is to avoid putting items in the disposal that can rust. This includes metal, appliances, and rigid outer plastics like rubber or nylon. In addition, anything that could easily damage your blades should not go into the disposal either, as they are more susceptible to rusting due to moisture exposure.
To ensure that your blades don’t collect a build-up of rust over time, always run cold water when you use your garbage disposal and for about a minute afterward. In addition, it’s a good idea to keep many small items like citrus peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells out of the disposal.
These items will likely clog up the system and make it difficult for water to flow correctly within its components. For an extra layer of protection against rusting, you may want to buy an anti-rust product and apply it on the blades twice a year or as needed.
Key Takeaways
Looking after your garbage disposal is a good idea. However, sometimes, you experience the odd rust over time, and it’s not always your fault. Following these tips will help prevent your garbage disposal from experiencing any severe rust damage in the future while ensuring its longevity over time!
Here are some ways to clean rust from your garbage disposal and prevent rust from building up in the future.
- Pour one cup (180 grams) of baking soda into the disposal and let it sit for an hour.
- Sprinkle some salt down the disposal and turn it on, then run cold water for a minute or two.
- Cut a lemon or lime into small pieces and drop them down the garbage disposal.
- Run the garbage disposal with vinegar by pouring a cup down the drain and running hot water for several minutes.
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