Danette O'Neal, PhD

Here’s a Great Way to Clean a Smelly Disposal:We’ve poured all kinds of things down our kitchen garbage disposal to make it clean and sweet-smelling — orange and grapefruit peels, dried-out lemons, baking soda and vinegar.But we never thought of throwing salt down there — until we read this tip.

Here’s how it works:Fit a stopper into the sink, and fill with hot water and a squirt of dish detergent.Turn on the disposal and let the soapy water drain, pushing gunk down the drain with it.Throw 3 or 4 ice cubes and a handful of large-grain salt, such as Kosher, down the drain and run the disposal. Flush with water, and you’ve got a clean disposal. Grind up a few lemons if you want a fresh, citrus smell. Voila! A fresh-smelling drain! (Houselogic 1/7/13)