Totally agree on composting—it's a lifesaver for disposals. Baking soda and vinegar is solid advice too, but I'd add one more thing: don't forget the underside of the rubber splash guard. You'd be surprised how much nasty stuff builds up there. Every couple weeks, flip it up and scrub it with an old toothbrush and dish soap. Takes two minutes, and trust me, it makes a noticeable difference in keeping swamp monsters at bay...
Good call on the splash guard—it's definitely an overlooked spot. I've seen some pretty gnarly buildup there during repairs, and it can get surprisingly gross. Another thing worth mentioning is running cold water a bit longer after grinding food scraps. Hot water tends to liquefy fats, which then solidify further down the pipes, causing odors and blockages. Cold water helps flush everything through properly. Anyway, your toothbrush tip is spot-on; small habits like that really do make maintenance easier in the long run.
I've been trying the cold water trick lately, and it does seem to help. Another thing I've found useful is tossing in a few ice cubes with lemon peels every now and then—it sharpens the blades a bit and freshens things up. But I'm curious, has anyone tried those disposal cleaning pods you see at the store? They seem convenient, but I'm skeptical if they're actually effective or just another gimmick...
I've eyed those pods too, but I'm always wary of putting extra chemicals down the drain... worried about pipe damage or something. Has anyone noticed any long-term issues after using them regularly?
"worried about pipe damage or something"
Yeah, totally get that concern... but honestly, most of those disposal pods are enzyme-based rather than harsh chemicals. I've used them regularly for over a year now—zero pipe issues, and the smell's way better. Just avoid the super cheap brands.
