How To Unclog a Garbage Disposal in 7 Steps

Garbage disposals are handy kitchen helpers, but they can clog for a number of reasons, including grease buildup or an item stuck in the blades or P-trap. A clogged garbage disposal can cause standing water in your sink, a foul odor, and the inability to process food scraps. Luckily, you can learn how to unclog a garbage disposal with a few tools and household ingredients.

We'll walk you through how to unclog a garbage disposal, no matter the culprit. Plus, we share tips for preventing future clogs.

1. Know the ABCs of Disposal Safety

Unclogging a garbage disposal can be dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions. You should always turn off the power before doing any work on a disposal, as the mix of water and electricity poses a risk of electrocution. Even if the disposal is turned off, you need to disconnect the power before using any tools or trying to fix the garbage disposal.

Never put your hands in the disposal, even if the unit is off, as the blades are sharp and can cut you. You should also avoid using chemical drain cleaners to clear a clog, as the harsh chemicals can erode parts of your disposal and splash back onto you, causing skin irritation or burns.

2. Disconnect the Power to Your Disposal

Turn off the power to your disposal before beginning any work on the unit. If your unit plugs into an outlet, it’s likely inside the cabinet beneath the sink. Otherwise, your garbage disposal is hardwired into a dedicated circuit. Go to your electrical panel and switch the breaker for the garbage disposal to the “off” position.

3. Check for Any Visible Disposal Blockages

Shine a flashlight down the drain hole to see inside the unit. Use a pair of needle nose pliers or thin tongs to reach into the opening and remove any items obstructing the disposal, such as a piece of trash, glob of grease, or silverware.

Remove each object from the disposal and place it in the trash. Turn the blades with your pliers to see if they move. Remove all tools from the disposal, then turn the unit back on to see if it works.

4. Try Boiling Water, Baking Soda, and Vinegar

Here’s how to unclog a garbage disposal without taking it apart: Pour 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar down the disposal. Let the solution sit for 20 minutes as the mixture breaks up residual food waste, fat, and grease. Rinse the drain with hot tap water or a pot of boiling water.

Or, you can skip the baking soda and vinegar and pour 5 cups of boiling water down the drain to dissolve grease, oil, and fat.

5. Use a Kitchen Sink Plunger

A plunger uses suction and pressure to loosen and push clogs down the pipe drain. Place your plunger so it covers the entire drain opening. If you have a second sink drain, cover the opening with a stopper. Fill the sink with 1 inch of water to create a watertight seal around the plunger base.

Press and vigorously pull the plunger up and down 15 to 20 times to loosen the clog. Look in the drain for loose items, then remove them with pliers or tongs. Flush the drain with hot water and turn on the disposal to see if it works.

6. Check and Clean Your P-Trap

Look for the P- or S-shaped pipe beneath your disposal’s drain trap. Place a bucket under the trap to catch water and debris that may flow out when you open it. Use the quick disconnect piece, channel locks, or channel-type pliers to disconnect the slip nut fitting on the drain trap.

Check the pipe for clogs and obstructions commonly found in the sharp bends of the trap. Use a small scrub brush or wire coat hanger to dig out debris. Reassemble the trap and run water through the disposal system for three minutes to flush any remaining debris.

If you don’t find a clog in the P-trap, it might be farther down the pipe. Clearing these pipes will require a drain auger or a service professional.

7. Contact a Professional for Help

If you’ve tried the methods above and your garbage disposal is still not draining, it’s time to contact a service professional. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing^®, we tackle the messy job for you so you can get back to cooking and using your kitchen.

Schedule a clogged drain or garbage disposal repair by requesting an estimate online or calling us.

How To Prevent Garbage Disposal Clogs

You can avoid garbage disposal clogs and extend the lifespan of your disposal by following a few best practices:

• Use a constant flow of cold tap water when processing food waste in the garbage disposal.
• Run the disposal for at least 30 seconds to ensure all waste is ground and processed.
• Continue running the water for 10 seconds after you turn off the garbage disposal to ensure the waste fully moves through the pipes.
• Avoid pouring grease and fat down the drain.
• Limit the number of food scraps you put down the drain at one time.
• Place eggshells and coffee grinds in the trash, not the disposal, as they can stick to the sludge in pipes and create clogs.
• Avoid grinding potato and banana peels in the disposal, which can form a starchy paste and clog the drain.
• Avoid putting materials down the drain that can clog it, including trash, seafood shells, fruit and vegetable pits, and bones.
• Maintain and clean your garbage disposal at least once a month.

Basic Garbage Disposal Maintenance

To keep your garbage disposal in good working order, clean it once a month and repair any issues as soon as they happen.

To clean your garbage disposal, drop a handful of ice cubes down the drain along with ½ cup of coarse salt. Run cold water and the garbage disposal for one minute. The ice removes any buildup stuck to the blades and walls of the chamber.

You can also clean your garbage disposal by pouring a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar down the drain, letting it sit for 20 minutes, and rinsing it with hot water.

Grind citrus peels, slices of citrus fruit, or peppermint leaves once a month to keep your garbage disposal from getting smelly.

Garbage Disposal Clogged? Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Whether your garbage disposal is backing up into the sink or you routinely experience issues, call the experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing and schedule a garbage disposal repair appointment online. We know how to unclog a garbage disposal and keep the problem away.

Garbage Disposal FAQs

With decades of experience at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we’re always happy to share our plumbing expertise. Here are answers to common questions so you can learn how to unclog a kitchen sink with a disposal in minutes.

How do you unclog a garbage disposal with standing water?

You can unclog a garbage disposal with standing water by placing a plunger over the drain hole. Create a firm seal with the plunger, then vigorously pump the plunger up and down 15 to 20 times. The plunger's suction and pressure loosen and move the clog through the pipes. Flush with hot water and try the disposal again.

What can I use to unclog my garbage disposal?

You can use a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar to unclog your garbage disposal. Let the solution sit for 20 minutes, and then flush the drain with hot water. You can also use a plunger or open your P-trap under the sink to remove debris and buildup. You may need to call a service professional if your garbage disposal is still not draining.

How can I unjam a garbage disposal?

You can unjam a garbage disposal by turning off the power to your disposal, then using pliers or tongs to reach in and remove items and grease buildup. You may also need to remove clogs from the P-trap located beneath the sink. Place a bucket under the trap, disconnect the pipe, and remove obstructions with a small scrub brush or wire coat hanger.

How can you dissolve gunk in a garbage disposal?

You can dissolve gunk in a garbage disposal by pouring a cup of baking soda and vinegar down the drain. Let the solution sit for 20 minutes to break up grease, oil, and food. Flush the drain with hot water.

How can I fix a slow-draining garbage disposal?

You can fix a slow-draining garbage disposal by pouring 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar down the drain. Let the solution sit for 20 minutes, then flush with boiling water.

If the disposal still drains slowly, open the P-trap beneath the sink and remove obstructions with a small scrub brush or wire coat hanger. You can fix a leaking garbage disposal by replacing the flange or tightening the drain line screws. If all else fails, call a service professional for help.