Splash guard
The flexible rubber flap at the mouth of a garbage disposal that stops food and water from flying back out.
The splash guard is the black rubber flap (sometimes a removable ring of flaps) seated in the sink drain opening at the top of a [garbage disposal](/glossary/garbage-disposal). It keeps grinding food and water from splashing back up into the sink. Because its underside stays warm, wet, and never gets rinsed, it's the single most common source of a smelly disposal — food film and bacteria build up there undisturbed. With the power off, fold the flaps back and scrub both sides with a toothbrush and baking soda or dish soap; many are removable for a deeper clean. See [how to clean and deodorize a disposal](/guides/how-to-clean-a-garbage-disposal).