Dear Sun Spots: I need some help. Last year we installed a new disposal
and sometimes we get a very unpleasant smell from this new machine. I
did not have this problem with the old disposal.
I have tried cleaning the cover to eliminate any standing “stuff” and I
have dropped some baking soda and let it sit, to try to stop the smell.
It goes away for a few days, but then comes back. What can I do? —
Lucy, Lewiston.
Answer: In addition to responses from readers, doityourself.com suggests grinding ice cubes in the disposal, along with citrus rinds. This will help clean the blades as well as add a little bit of scent to the area. You can also add salt crystals to the mix for a thorough cleaning, wait a minute or two and alternate running cold and hot water down the drain to dissolve the ice and salt.
Besides taking the disposal apart and cleaning it, bejane.com also suggests taking the hottest water your sink can muster and run the disposal.
You could also try following the baking soda you have been putting in the disposal with an equal amount of vinegar. Let the combination sit for a couple of minutes and then flush with hot water.
You may want to wipe down the inside of the unit as well. To go about this, first, be sure the unit is turned off, then wipe down the sides of the unit as well as near the bottom with a sponge or paper towel and any household cleaner.
The site also suggests if you have a dishwasher running through your unit, you should also try running your disposal during the dishwasher’s drain cycle. If you don’t have a dishwasher, then try cleaning the pipe on the disposal unit’s dishwasher connection.
Be sure to let Sun Spots know what did the trick, as this tends to be a common problem.
Dear Sun Spots: Once again the West Auburn School Historical Society
is asking for your help in publicizing our upcoming annual yard sale.
This year the event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 9 a.m. at the
schoolhouse, corner of West Auburn Road and Boothby Street. Tables may
be rented for $10 each. To reserve one, call Dick Keene at 966-2202.
Space is limited, so call early.
In addition to several interesting items for sale, there will be raffle
tickets for chances to win a cement park bench, donated by
American Concrete Industries, $100 worth of home heating oil and gift
certificates to several area restaurants. Hot dogs will be on sale and there will be a table loaded with baked
goods.
“Looking Back: The Villages of North and West Auburn,” a book published earlier this year, will be available for purchase on that day
as well. The cost is $21. Rain
date is Aug. 15. – June Spear, West Auburn School Historical Society.
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