How to Use affresh® Disposal Cleaner: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Your garbage disposal works hard every day. It grinds up food scraps, eliminates kitchen waste, and keeps your sink area clean. But over time, food particles, grease, and debris build up inside the disposal. This leads to foul odors that can make your entire kitchen smell unpleasant.
The good news? You can easily solve this problem with affresh® disposal cleaner. This guide shows you exactly how to use affresh® disposal cleaner tablet to eliminate odors and keep your disposal running smoothly.
What Is affresh® Disposal Cleaner?

Affresh® disposal cleaner is a specialized cleaning tablet designed specifically for garbage disposals. Unlike harsh chemical cleaners, it uses a natural formula that’s safe for your pipes and septic system. Each tablet creates a powerful foaming action that reaches every part of your disposal.
The cleaner is EPA Safer Choice certified. This means it meets strict safety standards for your health and the environment. You can use it with confidence knowing it won’t harm your plumbing or septic tank.
The best part? There’s no measuring, mixing, or pouring required. Simply drop in a tablet and let it work its magic.
Why Does Your Garbage Disposal Smell Bad?
Before we dive into the cleaning process, let’s understand why disposals develop odors. Food particles are the main culprit. Small bits of vegetables, fruits, and other organic matter get trapped under the impellers and in crevices. These particles start decomposing, creating that distinctive rotten smell.
Grease and oil buildup make the problem worse. When you pour fats down the drain, they coat the disposal’s interior surfaces. This sticky layer traps more food particles and creates an ideal environment for bacteria growth.
Hard water residue and soap scum also accumulate over time. Bacteria and mold thrive in these conditions. The result is a disposal that smells like sewage or rotting food, making your kitchen an unpleasant place to be.
Regular cleaning prevents these issues from developing. Monthly maintenance keeps odors at bay and helps your disposal run more efficiently.
How to Use affresh® Disposal Cleaner: Step-by-Step Instructions
Cleaning your disposal with affresh® is incredibly simple. The entire process takes less than a minute. Here’s exactly what you need to do.
What You’ll Need
- One affresh® disposal cleaner tablet (Available on Amazon)
- Hot running water
- Your garbage disposal
Step 1: Check Your Disposal
Start by making sure your disposal is clear. Look inside to ensure there are no foreign objects, utensils, or large food chunks. Remove anything that shouldn’t be there before proceeding.
Step 2: Turn On Hot Water

Turn your faucet to hot water. Let it run until the water gets hot. Adjust the flow to low or medium. You want a steady stream but not a full blast.
Keep the hot water running throughout the cleaning process. The heat helps activate the cleaning tablet and rinse away dissolved residue.
Step 3: Drop in the Tablet

Take one affresh® disposal cleaner tablet from the package. With the hot water still running, drop the tablet directly into the disposal opening. Don’t unwrap or break the tablet—just drop it in whole.
The tablet will immediately start dissolving. You’ll notice it begins to foam as soon as it hits the water.
Step 4: Turn On the Disposal

Now turn on your garbage disposal. Let it run for 15 to 30 seconds. You’ll see the foaming action intensify as the disposal churns. This foam is working to scrub away odor-causing buildup from every surface.
The foam reaches areas you can’t clean by hand. It gets under the impellers, into the grinding chamber, and along the hose. This complete coverage ensures a thorough clean.
Step 5: Turn Off the Disposal

After 15 to 30 seconds, turn off the garbage disposal. Keep the hot water running for a few more seconds. This rinses away the foam and any loosened debris.
Step 6: Rinse Away Remaining Foam

If you see any foam remaining in your sink, simply wash it down with additional water. The foam is completely safe and won’t harm your plumbing. It just needs to be rinsed away.
Turn off the water and you’re done! Your disposal should now smell fresh and clean with a pleasant citrus scent.
How Often Should You Clean Your Disposal?
For best results, use affresh® disposal cleaner once a month. Monthly cleaning prevents odor buildup before it becomes noticeable. It also helps maintain your disposal’s performance and extends its lifespan.
If you use your disposal heavily, you might want to clean it more often. Households that cook frequently or have large families may benefit from cleaning every two to three weeks.
Set a reminder on your phone or calendar. The affresh® package includes a calendar to help you track your cleaning schedule. Consistent maintenance is the key to a fresh-smelling kitchen.
What Makes affresh® Different from DIY Solutions?
You might wonder if you can just use baking soda and vinegar instead. While DIY solutions can provide temporary relief, they don’t clean as thoroughly as affresh® tablets.
Baking soda and vinegar create a fizzing reaction, but this doesn’t produce the same scrubbing action as affresh® tablets. DIY methods also require more steps, more time, and multiple ingredients. You need to measure, wait, and repeat the process.
Affresh® disposal cleaner offers professional-grade cleaning in one simple step. The formula is specifically designed to target the residues that cause disposal odors. It works faster and more effectively than home remedies.
The tablets are also safer than harsh chemicals like bleach. Bleach can corrode your pipes and create toxic fumes. affresh® uses natural ingredients that are tough on odors but gentle on your plumbing.
What Not to Put in Your Garbage Disposal
Proper disposal use goes hand-in-hand with regular cleaning. Avoiding certain items prevents clogs, damage, and excessive odor buildup.
Never put fibrous vegetables in your disposal. Items like celery stalks, corn husks, and artichokes can wrap around the blades. This creates blockages and can damage the motor.
Hard items are also problematic. Chicken bones, fruit pits, eggshells, and lobster shells can dull or break the blades. While small amounts might seem harmless, they accumulate over time and stress your septic system.
Grease and oil should never go down your disposal. They solidify as they cool, coating the interior and creating stubborn buildup. This buildup traps food particles and causes severe odor problems.
Other items to avoid include plastic, glass, metal objects, and expandable foods like pasta or rice. These can damage your disposal or create clogs in your pipes.
Tips for Maintaining a Clean Garbage Disposal
Beyond monthly cleaning with affresh®, follow these tips to keep your disposal in top condition.
Always cut large food pieces into smaller chunks before disposing of them. This reduces strain on the motor and ensures more complete grinding.
Run plenty of cold water while using the disposal. The water helps flush food particles through the pipes. Let the water run for several seconds after turning off the disposal.
Gradually feed hard materials into the disposal. Don’t dump a large amount of potato peels or fruit rinds all at once. Feed them in slowly while the water and disposal are running.
Run your disposal regularly, even if you don’t have food waste. Regular use prevents rust and keeps the parts moving freely. A disposal that sits unused for weeks is more likely to develop problems.
Consider occasionally grinding small ice cubes. Ice helps clean the blades and knock off stuck-on debris. Follow up with cold water to flush everything away.
Signs Your Disposal Needs Immediate Cleaning
Sometimes you can’t wait until your monthly cleaning. Watch for these signs that indicate your disposal needs attention now.
A strong sewage smell coming from your sink is the most obvious indicator. This odor means food is decomposing inside the disposal. Clean it as soon as possible to prevent the smell from spreading.
Slow draining water suggests buildup in the disposal or pipes. If water pools in your sink when the disposal runs, it’s time for a cleaning.
Unusual noises can indicate trapped objects or excessive buildup. While some grinding sounds are normal, loud rattling or grinding suggests a problem.
Water backing up into the sink when you run the disposal means there’s a blockage. Use affresh® disposal cleaner to help clear residue buildup.
The Benefits of Regular Disposal Maintenance
Consistent cleaning with affresh® disposal cleaner offers multiple benefits beyond just eliminating odors.
Regular maintenance extends your disposal’s lifespan. By removing corrosive buildup, you protect the motor and blades from damage. A well-maintained disposal can last for many years.
Clean disposals work more efficiently. They grind food faster and drain more quickly. This saves you time and reduces wear on the appliance.
Prevention is cheaper than repairs. Monthly cleaning costs just a few dollars but prevents expensive plumbing problems. It’s a small investment that protects your larger investment in your kitchen.
A fresh-smelling disposal makes your entire kitchen more pleasant. You won’t dread turning on the disposal or approaching your sink. Your kitchen becomes a space you actually want to spend time in.
Why affresh® Disposal Cleaner Is the Smart Choice
affresh® disposal cleaner combines effectiveness, safety, and convenience. The EPA Safer Choice certification ensures you’re using a product that’s better for your health and the environment.
The natural formula works without harsh chemicals. You don’t have to worry about toxic fumes or damage to your plumbing. It’s safe for both municipal water systems and septic tanks.
The single-tablet design makes cleaning foolproof. There’s no risk of using too much or too little. Each tablet provides exactly the right amount of cleaning power.
The foaming action reaches every surface inside your disposal. This includes areas you can’t access by hand. You get a complete clean with minimal effort.
Get Your affresh® Disposal Cleaner Today
Ready to eliminate garbage disposal odors for good? Get affresh® disposal cleaner on Amazon and start enjoying a fresh, clean kitchen.
With monthly use, you’ll never have to deal with a smelly disposal again. The process takes less than a minute, requires no measuring or mixing, and delivers professional-grade results.
Your garbage disposal works hard for you every day. Give it the care it deserves with affresh® disposal cleaner. Your kitchen—and your nose—will thank you.
Conclusion
Maintaining a clean garbage disposal doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With affresh® disposal cleaner, you can eliminate odors and keep your disposal running smoothly in less than 60 seconds.
Remember to clean monthly for best results. Avoid putting inappropriate items down your disposal. Run plenty of water when using it. These simple practices, combined with regular affresh® treatments, ensure your disposal stays fresh and functional for years to come.
Don’t let a smelly disposal ruin your kitchen experience. Take control of disposal odors today with affresh® disposal cleaner.
The Author

Muhammad Nabeel Dar has worked in the waste management industry for over 10 years, specializing in residential waste systems and kitchen efficiency solutions. He writes about practical home improvements, cost-effective appliance choices, and sustainable waste management practices that help homeowners make informed decisions. His hands-on experience with both commercial and residential waste systems provides unique insights into what actually works well in real-world home environments versus what just sounds good in marketing materials.
