Skip to content

Best Garbage Disposal Cleaners of 2026

Bonnie Salem Avatar
Bonnie Salem

Last Updated:

Save
Share

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Garbage disposal cleaners are an essential tool for keeping your kitchen clean and odor-free. These products are specially formulated to break down food particles and other debris that can accumulate in your disposal, leaving it smelling fresh and functioning properly. Many of these cleaners are also designed to be environmentally friendly, using natural ingredients that won't harm the environment or your plumbing system. Whether you're dealing with stubborn odors or simply want to keep your kitchen clean and sanitary, a high-quality garbage disposal cleaner is a must-have in any household.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Top 4 Garbage Disposal Cleaners

#TOP 1

Affresh Garbage Disposal Cleaner, 9 Tablets [3 Pack]

  • Affresh
  • W10509526M3
  • 3 Count (Pack of 3)
Affresh Garbage Disposal Cleaner, 9 Tablets [3 Pack] Cover

Affresh Garbage Disposal Cleaner, Removes Odor-Causing Residues, 9 Tablets [3 Pack]

Affresh Garbage Disposal Cleaner is a powerful foaming solution that removes odor-causing residues from your disposal, including what you can't see, such as the chopper, internal cavity, and hose. It is septic tank safe and U.S. EPA Safer Choice Certified, and you can use it monthly or as needed. The 9-tablet pack provides a 9-month supply.

9.8
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Powerful foaming action removes odor-causing residues from the disposal
  • Cleans what you can't see such as the chopper, internal cavity, and hose
  • Septic tank safe and U.S. EPA Safer Choice Certified

What Customers Say

"I typically use orange or lemon peels to freshen up my sink, but they're not always on hand, so I purchased this as an alternative. I was previously using a different brand that was discontinued, so I was a bit apprehensive about trying a new one. However, this disposal cleaner has proven to be as good if not better than my previous one, and it's more affordable. It's incredibly easy to use, fast, and leaves your sink smelling great. I highly recommend it."

"I use these tablets about once a week to freshen up my kitchen sink. They're very easy to use - just run the water, drop in a tablet, turn on the garbage disposal, and you're done! They effectively eliminate strong odors, like onions and seafood, as well as the unpleasant smell that can accumulate after a few days of regular use. I'm very pleased with their performance and the cost per use. I would definitely recommend them."

"I want my kitchen to be clean inside and out. I use this disposal cleaner once a month and it works wonderfully. I bought a box for my daughter whose kitchen had an odor. She couldn't smell anything, but I told her she needed to use the cleaner. She has three teenagers who often fill the sink without running the garbage disposal. After using the cleaner, her kids told her the kitchen smelled really good. I love this product."

#TOP 2

Glisten Garbage Disposer Foaming Cleaner

  • Glisten
  • GLISTEN - DP06N-PB - 2/PACK
  • Blue
  • 1 Count (Pack of 2)
Glisten Garbage Disposer Foaming Cleaner Cover

Glisten GLISTEN-DP06N-PB-2/PACK DP06N-PB Garbage Disposer Foaming Cleaner, Lemon Scent, 2-Pack (8 Uses), 2 Pack, Blue, 2 Count, 4.9 Ounce (Pack of 2), 9 Ounce

Glisten Garbage Disposer Foaming Cleaner is an effective solution to clean the toughest grunge and foul odors from your garbage disposal. It is a bleach alternative with 4 uses per pouch, drain and disposer safe. It reaches deep into hidden areas and freshens up the whole kitchen. It is recommended to use weekly or as needed to maintain your disposer and drains.

9.7
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Effective solution to clean the toughest grunge and foul odors
  • Bleach alternative with 4 uses per pouch
  • Drain and disposer safe

What Customers Say

"These garbage disposal cleaners are fantastic! They effectively remove unpleasant buildup and odors. I usually use lemon wedges, baking soda, and hot water to clean my disposal, but after reading an article about deep cleaning, I decided to try this product. It works extremely well! The instructions are simple and foolproof. I gave it 4/5 stars only because I didn't see the blue foaming effect. However, even without it, the cleaning power was strong and it eliminated the musty smell!"

"This is the best product I've used for eliminating sink flies and gnats. Interestingly, my neighbor was dealing with the same issue at the same time. We each used one of these cleaners every Sunday for two weeks and the flies were gone. Once you turn on the garbage disposal, be prepared for it to foam up."

"I use this product monthly and it works wonders. The inside of a disposer can become quite dirty, so it's nice to have something to clean and freshen it up. I appreciate that it cleans both the disposal and the sink drain. Plus, it's safe for septic systems!"

#TOP 3

Arm & Hammer Sink Garbage Disposal Cleaner Capsules

Arm & Hammer Sink Garbage Disposal Cleaner Capsules Cover

Arm & Hammer 24-Count Sink Garbage Disposal Cleaner, Freshener & Deodorizer Capsules Citrus Scent, with Power of Baking Soda

Arm & Hammer Sink Garbage Disposal Cleaner Capsules with Citrus scent use the power of baking soda to eliminate odors and deodorize your sink. The cleaning process includes three easy steps: prepare your sink, reduce water to a slow stream, and drop a capsule into the disposal. The capsules break up and release the fresh, citrus scent to leave your sink smelling clean and fresh.

9.5
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Easy to use in three simple steps
  • Eliminates odors and deodorizes sink with citrus scent
  • Uses the power of baking soda to remove excess odors

What Customers Say

"I'm pleased with these pearls. Other brands aren't as fragrant and their scent isn't noticeable. I buy them to keep my fairly new and clean disposal fresh. I noticed a difference right away - the scent is very pleasant and does a great job of freshening up the disposal."

"Every so often, your garbage disposal needs a good clean. I use the foaming cleaner once a month, but in between, I use these little balls about every other day. Simply turn on the water and garbage disposal, drop one ball into the hole, and let it run until it's all gone. The scent is fantastic - it smells like citrus and leaves a clean, refreshing odor. I prefer this particular brand because the scent seems to last longer than cheaper alternatives."

"Like you, I had a foul smell in my kitchen that I couldn't identify. Even after emptying the garbage, wiping the counters, cleaning out the fridge, and doing the dishes, the smell persisted. I thought it might be coming from my garbage disposal, so I decided to try these pearls. After just one use, my kitchen stopped smelling unpleasant and instead smelled like a citrus orchard! They're very easy to use - all you have to do is drop one in the disposal and run it with some water."

#TOP 4

Plink Garbage Disposer Freshener

  • Plink
  • 9013
  • Variety Pack
Plink Garbage Disposer Freshener Cover

Plink Garbage Disposer Freshener and Cleaner, Sink Disposal Odor Eliminator, Quick and Easy-to-Use Capsules, Septic-Friendly, Citrus Scents, 20 Count Package

Plink Disposer Freshener is a quick and easy solution to eliminate odors from your sink garbage disposal. With its bleach alternative, it breaks up tough odors, reaching deep into crevices to remove unpleasant smells caused by trapped grease, oil, and food. By using it at least twice a week, you can keep your disposer and drain clean while maintaining a pleasant kitchen scent. The product comes with a performance guarantee, ensuring that it meets or exceeds your expectations with specially-formulated cleaners.

9.4
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Quick and easy-to-use
  • Bleach alternative for tough odors
  • Keeps kitchen smelling pleasant

What Customers Say

"I absolutely love these. We cook a lot of vegetables at home and use our garbage disposal frequently, which can sometimes lead to a bad smell. These little tablets do an excellent job of deodorizing the entire kitchen. The citrus scent is very natural, unlike deodorants that just mix with the bad odors."

"Using them is simple - just drop one in, turn on the disposal with water, and wait for the pleasant scent to fill the room. Any unpleasant odors vanish after using these. I once turned off the disposal and checked the blades - they were mostly clean. I've been using these tablets for years and will continue to do so."

"The product arrives as advertised - a pack with several round yellow tablets. Just run your garbage disposal with a thin stream of water, drop one of the tablets in, wait 15 seconds, then turn off the disposal. You're left with an instant lemony scent that fills your kitchen. The scent lasts for about 10-15 minutes. It's still a good value for the price."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is good to clean a garbage disposal with?

To clean a garbage disposal, you can sprinkle half a cup of baking soda into the opening of the disposal, followed by pouring a cup of white vinegar. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes, then turn on the disposal and let hot water rinse away the baking soda mixture. This helps freshen and clean the garbage disposal.

2. How do you deep clean a garbage disposal?

For a deep clean, you can use a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Start by pouring half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for ten minutes to allow the mixture to bubble. Then, rinse it off with hot water. This method helps effectively clean the garbage disposal.

3. Is it good to use garbage disposal cleaner?

Using a garbage disposal cleaner can be beneficial for maintaining a clean and fresh disposal. However, it's important to choose the right cleaner as some store-bought cleaners may only freshen the disposal without truly cleaning it. Additionally, certain cleaners can be corrosive and potentially damage parts of the garbage disposal.

4. Is it OK to pour bleach down a garbage disposal?

It is not recommended to pour bleach or harsh chemicals down a garbage disposal as they can damage the blades and pipes. Instead, you can use a natural sink cleaner like borax, which effectively works on odor-causing mold and mildew that can accumulate in the garbage disposal.

5. Is baking soda and vinegar safe for drains?

Baking soda and vinegar can work as a natural drain cleaner for weaker drain clogs over time. However, for tough drain clogs that need to be dissolved immediately, a stronger drain cleaner like Liquid-Plumr may be more effective.

6. Does putting ice in the garbage disposal clean it?

Running a few ice cubes through the garbage disposal can help clean the blades and dislodge any bits of food that may be stuck. The action of grinding up the ice helps keep the disposal clean, and there is no product or residue left to scrub away.

7. Is there anything you should not put in a garbage disposal?

A garbage disposal is designed to handle soft food waste. However, it is important to avoid putting hard items like peach pits, mango seeds, or other large stones into the disposal. These items are too tough and can damage the blades, motor, or cause clogs.

8. What happens when you put baking soda and vinegar down the drain?

When baking soda and vinegar are combined, a reaction occurs where carbon dioxide and water are created. This reaction causes bubbling, which helps break up clogs and create loose material that can be easily flushed away. The drainage pipes are not pressurized, so the bubbling action helps unclog the drain.

9. Is it safe to use baking soda and vinegar to clean a drain?

While the baking soda and vinegar solution can effectively break down a clog, it can also damage your drain over time. The abrasive nature of baking soda can wear down the drain, so it is advisable to avoid using this solution for cleaning drains to prevent damage.

Editor's Notes

During our garbage disposal cleaner research, we found 25 garbage disposal cleaner products and shortlisted 4 quality products. We collected and analyzed 700,003 customer reviews through our big data system to write the garbage disposal cleaners list. We found that most customers choose garbage disposal cleaners with an average price of $15.35.

The garbage disposal cleaners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of garbage disposal cleaners, including Affresh, Glisten, Arm & Hammer, Plink. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by

Bonnie Salem Avatar

Bonnie Salem

Bonnie Salem is a stay-at-home mother with two-year-old twins and has spent almost half of her life surrounded by baby products. As a mother and a professional copywriter, she has an insightful and unique eye for researching products suitable for infants. Bonnie Salem is an expert in health and nutrition who lives with her family in New Jersey. She has over 15 years of working experience in an institute of medicine after graduating from the University of Toronto. She is highly interested in personal health and wellness.