Best Garbage Disposal Cleaner

To help you find the best garbage disposal cleaner and unclogger , we tried out dozens of products, testing them for cleaning ability, with the inclusion of high powered cleaning agents, and the capabilities to deodorize, leaving your sink and kitchen smelling fresh. We also preferred items made from gentle and biodegradable ingredients and those that were easily applied. It’s important to clean all of the best home appliances to keep things neat and germ-free.

The best product we tried was the Glisten Disposer Care Freshener, which uses gentle cleaning agents to remove grunge and freshen the garbage disposal, eliminating all unnatural and foul odors. We also liked the easy application process and the fact that it is safe for all disposals, septics and drains. Keep reading to learn more about the Glisten Disposer Care Freshener and the other products on this list.

Top 7 Best Disposal Cleaners Compared

 #1  Glisten Disposer Care Freshener Disposal Cleaner – Top Pick

WHY WE LIKE IT: Extremely easy to use, just by dropping a tablet in the drain, with a formula designed to effectively eliminate foul odors and clean tough-to-reach grunge-filled areas.

This Glisten Disposer Care Freshener is a high quality deodorizer that effectively eliminates all foul odors, removing unpleasant aromas from not only the drain but the entire kitchen. It is extremely easy to use, operating by just dropping a tablet down the drain and running the disposal, and it is safe to use in all major garbage disposal and drain types.

Though this product does do well with eliminating tough-to-reach grime and grunge, it could use an additional cleaning agent for an extra-thorough cleaning. Additionally, these tablets are small and could theoretically be ingested by children, though the product comes with an additive that creates an extremely bitter taste to discourage this from happening. Many kitchen appliances need their own specialized cleaner and your garbage disposal is no different.

 #2  Glisten Disposer Care Foaming Disposal Cleaner – Honorable Mention

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WHY WE LIKE IT: Available in a multipack, which contains 24 packets, with a biodegradable formula that excels at cleaning the entire disposal. This is a great product that is safe for all garbage disposals, drains and septic tanks.

This Glisten Disposer Care Foaming Cleaner comes in a large multipack that contains 24 packets of cleaning agent, which is fantastic. The formula is made entirely from biodegradable ingredients and excels at cleaning the entire garbage disposal, including sidewalls, blades and pipes. It is intended to be used weekly so the 24 included packets will ensure a clean disposal for around six months.

Though this product does a decent job at eliminating foul odors, it would be nicely assisted by an additional deodorizer, such as our top pick. Also, the formula contains malic acid and sodium lauryl sulfate, which combine to produce vapors that are unsafe to breathe, though we did not run into any issues. It might be best to open a window. Speaking of your windows, the best window cleaning kit and the best duster can keep them spotless.

 #3  Grab Green Tangerin Garbage Disposal Cleaner – Best Quality

WHY WE LIKE IT: Extremely easy to use formula, which activates just by dropping a package in the disposal and turning it on, with a pleasant lemongrass scent.

This Grab Green Tangerin Garbage Disposal Cleaner is an extremely high quality product that excels at wiping away gunk and grime from infected garbage disposals. It is extremely easy to use, with a simple drop and go design, and creates a pleasant lemongrass aroma upon contact. We also liked that the product is certified to be cruelty free, as it was not tested on animals at any phase during its development.

Though this product is free of many harsh and unnatural ingredients, the formula can still be harmful to eyes upon contact, so be careful. Additionally, the company recommends it to be used twice a week, which is higher than the once per week recommended by our number two pick. I find that after cleaning you can use the best spray bottle to spray it down and make sure all residue is gone.

 #4  Compac’s Plink Garbage Disposal Cleaner & Deodorizer – Fastest Acting Formula

WHY WE LIKE IT: Boasts a formulation that is extremely fast acting, completing the cleaning process in just a few seconds, and is made from biodegradable ingredients.

This Compac’s Plink Garbage Disposal Cleaner & Deodorizer is made from completely biodegradable ingredients, which is fantastic, and features a quick-acting formulation that only takes a few seconds to complete the cleaning process. It is also available in a large variety of multipacks, up to four each containing 20 treatments each, and comes with the option for several pleasant scents.

Though this product is great for eliminating fatty deposits that have built up deep inside the drain, it could benefit from the use of an additional cleaning agent, like our number two pick, for blades. Also, the company says you can reuse the same tablets for similar effect, but we found that not to be true. Your garbage disposal is one of the kitchen gadgets that is used often so it pays to clean it and to that end its much like the best blender.

 #5  Bioda Garbage Disposal Foaming Cleaner & Freshener – Longest Lasting Effects

WHY WE LIKE IT: Formulated with a unique enzymatic formula that continues to clean between uses and contains no harmful phosphates, so it is safe for all disposals and pipes.

This Bioda Garbage Disposal Foaming Cleaner & Freshener is a truly unique product, with a formulation that primarily uses healthy bacteria and enzymes to clean, which results in a long-lasting clean that continues to work between uses. It also contains no potentially harmful phosphates, which is nice, and it is safe for use in all garbage disposals, pipes and septic systems.

Though this product does work to remove foul odors that result from accumulated grime inside of a disposal, it does create a unique odor of its own, which may not be for everyone. Additionally, the pouches are small and could accidentally be ingested, so do your best to keep them away from children. It pays to get the right cleaner for the right job. After all, you wouldn’t use the best silver polish on your disposal.

 #6  Lemi Shine Disposal Cleaner – Best for Hard Water Build-up

WHY WE LIKE IT: Boasts a unique citric-acid based formulation that excels with both cleaning and eliminating hard water build-up. This is the perfect product for those worried about hard water build-up inside of their garbage disposal.

This Lemi Shine Disposal Cleaner is formulated using citric acid, which contributes to it excelling with removing hard water build-up. It is biodegradable and phosphate free, in addition to being certified for use in all garbage disposals, drains and septic tanks. We also liked that it is rated for use in dishwashers, to help clean up any excess gunk that has accumulated while running the unit.

This item comes in a powder, which makes it a bit more difficult to use than some of our featured products that come in packets or tablets. Also, it takes a few minutes to complete the cleaning process, whereas some picks on this list take just a few seconds. An all-purpose cleaner works as well.

 #7  BioWonder Septic Tank Treatment Disposal Cleaner – Best Eco-Friendly

WHY WE LIKE IT: Exceptional with garbage disposal systems that lead to septic tanks, thanks to its unique formulation that contains multiple strains of waste eating bacteria. This is the best product for those with disposals connected to septic tanks.

This BioWonder Septic Tank Treatment is uniquely formulated to excel with disposals that are connected to septic tanks, thanks to containing six strains of waste eating bacteria that add up to three billion colony forming units (CFU.) The product is organic, biodegradable and, thanks to its gentle formulation, can be used in shower drains, RV holding tanks and other locations.

Though this product does an adequate job at removing foul odors, it could benefit from the addition of a deodorizer, such as our top pick. Additionally, this is a loose powder design, so it is slightly more difficult to use than products that come in packets or tablets. But if you drop some, at least you don’t have to use the best mop to clean up liquid.

How We Decided

To help you choose the right garbage disposal cleaner and deodorizer, we tried out all of the top products, testing them, first and foremost, for cleaning ability, favoring products that are formulated to excel with all garbage disposals, drains and pipes. We liked tough-acting formulas that adequately removed fatty deposits, grime and other accumulated elements that build up in the disposal over time. With this cleaner, your best garbage disposal will always stay fresh.

We also favored products that shined while deodorizing, eliminating foul odors entirely within minutes and often replacing them with pleasant scents, such as lime or lemongrass. We were attracted to fast-acting products that are easy to use, often coming in a pre-formed tablet or packet that only needs to be dropped in the drain to begin the cleaning and deodorizing process.

We were also attracted to products that were biodegradable and manufactured using gentle cleaning agents, in addition to being cruelty free. Finally, we made sure to populate the above list with a wide mix of products that can be used with all major garbage disposals, drains, pipes and, also, septic tanks.

Disposal Cleaner Buying Guide

 

The Most Important Features to Consider

1. Ease of Use
   These products use a wide variety of cleaning agents in order to adequately keep your garbage disposals in tip top order. These come in different designs as well. Some products, including many featured on the above list, come in pre-formed tablets or packets which allow for instantaneous use. Just throw them down the drain, press the disposal and you are good to go. Some products come in powders, which foam up and slowly clean the infected areas. These powders generally take longer than their pre-formed counterparts, but can offer a more thorough clean.
2. Removal of Foul Odors
   While most garbage disposal cleaners will do an adequate job at the removal of foul odors, you may want to buy an additional deodorizer, like our top pick. These products excel at completely removing odors, thanks to formulations that break down fatty build ups deep within the disposal, which are often the source of foul odors. Some products go one step further and replace the unpleasant aroma with a pleasant scent, such as lemongrass or lime, among others.
3. Septic Tanks and Unique Formulations
   Most, though not all, disposal cleaners can be used with systems that connect to septic tanks. Some products, like our number seven pick, go one step further by using unique formulations that truly excel with septic tanks. Other products also boast unique formulations that cause them to excel with the elimination of hard water and to keep working in between uses, thanks to the addition of long-lasting enzymes. Take a look at the features on offer and pick the right product for your needs.

Garbage Disposal Cleaner FAQs

How often should you clean a garbage disposal?

Though results may vary, depending on the cleaning product, your garbage disposal should be cleaned every week. If you adequately maintain it and monitor what goes into it, however, you could clean it once every two or three weeks. It is always good to clean the disposal if you are headed out of town for several days.

How do you get rid of foul odors emanating from the disposal?

Most disposal cleaners also do an adequate job at the removal of foul odors. If you are looking to really up the game, however, look for a standalone deodorizer, like our top pick, which will truly eradicate unpleasant aromas. If you do not have access to a deodorizer, you can always make a baking soda and white vinegar mixture and flush it down the drain before running the disposal.

What should never be placed in a garbage disposal?

A wide variety of items should not be placed in a garbage disposal. These include bones of any kind, fruit pits, and grease. Some items can be used with caution, such as coffee grounds and celery.

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