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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. For products related specifically to the kitchen, check out our best kitchen appliances guide.
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.
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. Have tea or coffee ready when your guests arrive with our best electric kettle.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
