Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
To clean a garbage disposal, switch off and disconnect its power before wiping the underside of the splash baffle and the upper chamber lip with a scouring pad. Never put your hand into the grinding chamber. Then flush away loosened debris with water and baking soda, following your disposer’s manual if its instructions differ. Odors often come from food residue under the baffle or in the chamber, rather than from a problem that requires chemical drain cleaner.
Clean the baffle and chamber safely
Food can collect beneath the splash baffle—the flexible guard at the sink opening—and around the upper lip of the grind chamber. InSinkErator identifies this buildup, along with insufficient water flow during and after use, as a common source of odor. Its odor-removal instructions recommend disconnecting power before manual cleaning.
- Turn off and disconnect power. Follow the instructions for your model to unplug it or otherwise disconnect its power supply. Do not rely on the wall switch alone when reaching into the sink opening to clean.
- Clean the accessible surfaces. Use a scouring pad to scrub the underside of the baffle and the upper lip inside the chamber. Do not put your hand into the disposer.
- Flush out loosened debris. Place the stopper over the sink opening, fill the sink halfway with warm water, and mix in 1/4 cup baking soda. Turn on the disposer and remove the stopper at the same time so the water drains through it. This is the quantity and sequence in InSinkErator’s odor-removal instructions; consult your model’s manual if it specifies a different procedure.
See InSinkErator’s odor-removal instructions and its care and use manual.
Clean a removable splash guard only if your model allows it
Some models have a splash guard that can be removed for cleaning; others may not. Moen’s instructions for its applicable removable guard are to disconnect power, remove the guard, scrub its underside with baking soda and warm water, rinse it, reinstall it, and restore power. Do not assume another brand or model uses the same removal method: check its manual first.
#1 Best Overall
- Designed For Garbage Disposals : Compatible with All Kitchen Waste Dispoal Models Including Insinkerator, Moen, Ge, Frigidaire, Kohler, Kitchenaid, Waste Maid, Waste King, Farberware and more
- Easy Monthly Cleaner : Use Tablets 1 - 2 Times Per Month to Care for your Garberator. Each Tab easily drops in your drain for quick Disposal Care
- Natural Citrus Scent : Orange- Lemon Deoderizer Scented Pod Smells the best, and Cleans the Best using only Simple Ingredients.
- Bulk 24 Packs - Compare to Smaller Packets that only last a couple months. ACTIVE Disposer Cleaner 12 month supply lasts for up to a year of maintenance
For compatible Moen products, the company identifies replacement splash guard and stopper part 1025. Confirm that the part fits your exact model before ordering. See Moen’s odor and splash-guard instructions.
Keep odors from returning
- Run cold water while grinding food waste, then leave it running for a few seconds after grinding to help carry particles through the drain.
- Grind citrus peels for a fresh smell, as described in the disposer manual. This can freshen odor but does not replace cleaning residue from beneath the baffle.
- Keep grease and fat out of the disposer and drain.
- Do not use bleach, chemical drain openers, or other drain-cleaning products in the disposer. InSinkErator warns against these products in its manual.
InSinkErator’s manual advises against hot water while grinding food waste; its odor-removal page allows hot water to be drained between grinding periods. For the grinding cycle, use cold water and follow your model’s manual.
Rank #2
- NO. 1 RECOMMENDED DISPOSAL CLEANER brand by Whirlpool and KitchenAid.* *affresh products and the recommending brands' products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
- HELPS POWER AWAY SMELLS created by odor causing bacteria, rotting food debris, stinky residue and grime hiding deep in the disposal’s grind chamber, impeller and drain pipe to help optimize appliance performance.
- FRESH CITRUS SCENT. Affresh disposal cleaner’s powerful foaming action leaves a refreshingly clean citrus scent.
- TRUSTED BY APPLIANCE EXPERTS. With over 100 years of appliance innovation, affresh appliance care gets the tough jobs done right!
- SAFER FOR PEOPLE. SAFER FOR PLANET. Affresh disposal cleaner is EPA Safer Choice Certified and is septic safe.
If the odor persists
Repeat the safe manual cleaning and check the baffle underside for remaining residue. A dedicated disposer-care cleaner is an optional next step: InSinkErator says such cleaners are available online and in many stores, and its manual permits a disposer cleaner, degreaser, or deodorizer as necessary. Choose one explicitly intended for garbage disposers, follow its label, and check compatibility with your disposer manual. Avoid substituting a chemical drain opener or a general drain-cleaning product.
If a removable guard is damaged or remains difficult to clean, check the disposer’s model documentation for the correct replacement procedure and part. Do not remove a guard unless the manufacturer permits it for your model.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Powerful XL Foaming Action - Activates with warm water to create thick, expanding foam that reaches deep into blades, splash guards, and drain walls to help break down grease, grime, and food residue.
- Eliminates Sink & Drain Odors - Designed as a disposal deodorizer and kitchen drain freshener, these citrus foaming tablets help neutralize unpleasant odors and leave your sink smelling clean and fresh.
- 24 Tablets (1 Year Supply) - Each pack includes 24 disposal cleaning tablets — stay active and use twice per month for consistent kitchen drain maintenance and long-lasting freshness.
- Works with All Garbage Disposals - Compatible with most household disposers and garburator systems including Insinkerator, Waste King, Moen, and other common kitchen sink units.
- Septic-Safe & Easy to Us - No messy liquids or measuring required. Simply drop one tablet into the disposal, run water, and allow the foaming action to do the work. Suitable for septic systems and stainless steel sinks.
Rank #4
- Powerful Foaming Efficacy - Our disposal cleaner and deodorizer tablets produce a robust foam that penetrates deep, effectively removing stubborn grime from your garbage disposal
- Easy to Use - Drop a tablet in your sink, & use it as described. This kitchen sink cleaner's powerful foam works to leave your disposal fresh. No scrubbing needed - it's that simple
- Long-Lasting Supply - With 24 tablets per pack, this sink drain cleaner provides a full year of regular maintenance, ensuring your disposal stays clean and odor-free throughout the seasons
- Septic Safe Formula - Our sink cleaner and deodorizer is specially formulated to be safe for septic systems, giving you peace of mind while maintaining the cleanliness of your kitchen disposal
- Fresh Lemon Scent - Enjoy a burst of citrus freshness with every use. Our tablets not only clean but also leave behind a pleasant lemon aroma, reducing unpleasant kitchen odors effectively
Rank #3
- Deep Clean Like Never Before - Say goodbye to stubborn grime and residues! Our 2.0 upgraded garbage disposal cleaner tablets bring a new level of deep cleaning, restoring your disposal to like-new condition.
- Nature's Choice & Citrus Scent - Imagine a kitchen free from unpleasant odors. Our sink deodorizer for smell adds natural ingredients, infuse your garbage disposer with a long-lasting freshness, and every use is an embrace of nature
- More Foam, More Coverage - Watch in amazement as our garbage disposal cleaner create a luxurious foam that envelops your entire garbage disposer, ensuring every inch is sparkling clean and fresh
- XXL Power in Every Tablet - Say goodbye to frequent refills! Our newly formulated XXL garbage disposal cleaner and deodorizer tablets offer a year's supply in just 24 tablets, providing maximum efficiency with minimal effort
- Universal Compatibility, Septic-Safe - Whether you have a brand-name disposal or not, our garbage disposal cleaner tablets work seamlessly. And with septic-safe formulation, you can clean with peace of mind
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
