Those are decent suggestions, but honestly, citrus peels and baking soda combos mostly mask odors temporarily. If the smell keeps coming back, you might have buildup deeper in the pipes or even a partial blockage. I've seen disposals that looked spotless but still smelled awful because food debris was trapped further down. Running some ice cubes through can help knock loose stubborn grime, or occasionally pouring boiling water down the drain can clear out lingering gunk. Worth a try before calling in a plumber...
Yeah, ice cubes and boiling water can definitely help loosen up the gunk deeper down. Have you checked the rubber splash guard too? Sometimes that thing traps nasty buildup underneath, even if the disposal itself looks clean. Also, how old is your disposal unit? Older ones can have worn-out seals or internal parts that hold onto odors no matter what you do. Might wanna peek under there just to rule it out...
"Have you checked the rubber splash guard too? Sometimes that thing traps nasty buildup underneath, even if the disposal itself looks clean."
Good point about the splash guard—I overlooked mine for months after moving in, and it was pretty gross underneath. Another thing I've found helpful is running citrus peels through occasionally; lemon or orange rinds freshen things up nicely and leave a pleasant scent behind. Also, if your disposal is older, consider checking the drain pipe connections beneath the sink. Sometimes leaks or slow drips can cause persistent odors too...
Yeah, citrus peels are a decent quick fix, but honestly, baking soda and vinegar worked way better for me. My disposal was smelling rank when I first moved in... poured some down, let it fizz, rinsed it—problem solved. Worth a shot if citrus isn't cutting it.
I second the baking soda and vinegar method. Citrus peels were okay for me initially, but the smell always crept back after a day or two. When I switched to baking soda and vinegar, it was like night and day. I also found that occasionally tossing in a handful of ice cubes helps scrape off any stubborn buildup on the blades—keeps things fresher longer. Might be worth adding to your routine if the odor keeps returning.
