Seriously, I don't know what's going on lately but my garbage disposal has started smelling like something crawled in there and died. I've tried running hot water, soap, even tossed in some lemon peels (someone told me that helps?), but nope, still smells like a swamp creature's vacation home. It's driving me nuts. Does anyone else deal with this or have some secret trick that actually works?
Yeah, been there. Lemon peels help a bit, but they're mostly masking the smell temporarily. The real issue is usually gunk and food residue stuck deep inside. What works for me is dumping a good amount of baking soda down there, followed by white vinegar—let it fizz and bubble for about 10-15 mins. Then flush it out with hot water. Clears out the nasty stuff without harsh chemicals. Also, every now and then, toss in some ice cubes and run the disposal; it sharpens the blades and helps scrape off stubborn buildup. Haven't had swamp monster issues since I started doing this regularly...might be worth a shot.
I've tried the baking soda and vinegar trick before, and it does help temporarily...but honestly, doesn't the smell just come back after a few days? Maybe I'm not using enough baking soda or something. Also, curious about the ice cube thing—does it really sharpen the blades, or is that just one of those homeowner myths floating around?
You're right, baking soda and vinegar is decent for a quick fix, but it won't tackle the gunk that's stuck deeper down. The ice cube trick doesn't actually sharpen blades (common myth!), but it does help knock off built-up debris...worth doing occasionally. Hang in there, you're on the right track.
The lemon peel trick is a classic, but as you've noticed, it mostly masks the smell temporarily rather than solving the root issue. Baking soda and vinegar can help loosen some grime, but if you're still dealing with swampy odors, it's probably time to get a bit more hands-on.
One thing I've seen work pretty well is manually cleaning under the rubber splash guard—it's surprising how much nasty stuff hides there. Just unplug or turn off the disposal at the breaker first (safety first, folks), then flip up that rubber flap and scrub underneath with an old toothbrush and dish soap. You'd be amazed (and slightly horrified) at what comes out.
Also, running ice cubes through occasionally does help knock loose debris stuck to the blades and walls. It won't sharpen anything (that's a myth, as mentioned earlier), but it definitely helps clear out some of the gunk causing odors.
If none of that helps, you might have buildup deeper in your drain line. At that point, removing and cleaning the trap under your sink could be necessary—it's not as scary as it sounds, just messy. Good luck tackling your swamp monster!
