I've been tempted by those enzyme pods, but the price tags always make me pause... I'm usually tossing lemon peels or baking soda down there instead. Works okay-ish, but doesn't last long.
"Just avoid the super cheap brands."
Haha, guilty as charged—I've definitely grabbed the bargain bin stuff before. Is there a middle-ground brand that's decent without breaking the bank?
I've dealt with my fair share of funky disposals over the years, and trust me, you're not alone on trying to balance cost and effectiveness. Lemon peels and baking soda are decent short-term solutions, but they won't tackle deeper grime buildup. Instead of pricey enzyme pods, consider a mid-tier brand like Glisten or Plink. They're affordable enough for regular use and do a solid job keeping odors at bay. Regular cleaning beats occasional heavy-duty treatments every time, especially if you're cautious about plumbing longevity.
Good points here, especially about regular cleaning vs. heavy-duty treatments. I've found that ice cubes and coarse salt every couple weeks help scrape off some of the tougher grime without being harsh on the plumbing. But I'm curious—has anyone tried vinegar ice cubes? Heard mixed things about them being effective but also potentially rough on disposal blades...
I've actually tried vinegar ice cubes a few times—honestly, they're not as scary as some folks make them out to be. Vinegar's acidity is pretty mild compared to commercial cleaners, so it's unlikely to damage your blades unless you're doing it daily (which I doubt anyone has the patience for...). But heads up: the smell can be pretty intense at first. If you're sensitive to vinegar fumes, maybe stick with regular ice and salt or toss in some citrus peels afterward to freshen things up.
I've dealt with some pretty gnarly disposal smells in my rental units, and vinegar cubes do help, but they're not always enough. A couple things I've found useful:
- Baking soda and lemon juice combo works wonders—just pour baking soda down first, then lemon juice, let it fizz a bit, and rinse.
- Grinding up citrus peels (orange or lemon) freshens things nicely without the vinegar smell.
- Also, check under the rubber splash guard...sometimes gunk builds up there and needs a good scrub.
Usually clears things right up for me.
