Citrus peels always seem like a quick fix, but yeah, they're more of a band-aid than anything else. Baking soda and vinegar definitely help, but I've found that occasionally tossing a handful of ice cubes down there really makes a difference. It knocks loose some of the nasty buildup that causes odors. Garbage disposals can be tricky beasts—regular attention goes a long way in keeping them from turning into swamp creatures...hang in there, you're on the right track.
You're definitely onto something with the ice cubes—I've done that myself, and it works surprisingly well. A couple other things I've learned the hard way:
- Don't underestimate the power of hot water and dish soap. Seriously, a good hot rinse can work wonders.
- Once had a tenant swear by grinding up a few coffee grounds... jury's still out on that one, but hey, at least the kitchen smelled like Starbucks for a day or two.
- Regular use is key. Letting it sit unused for days is basically sending an open invitation to swamp monsters.
Hang tight, you're already ahead of most folks!
I've heard the coffee grounds thing too, but honestly, I'm not convinced. Tried it once and ended up with a gritty mess that took forever to rinse out. Maybe I did it wrong? Who knows...
One thing I've wondered about—has anyone tried citrus peels? I've tossed lemon slices down there occasionally, and it seems to freshen things up temporarily, but I'm not sure if it's actually cleaning anything or just masking the smell. Also curious if there's any truth to the idea that citrus oils might help break down grease buildup.
And speaking of grease...does anyone else feel like no matter how careful you are, some inevitably sneaks down there anyway? Or is that just me being sloppy in the kitchen again...
"One thing I've wondered about—has anyone tried citrus peels?"
Tried lemon peels myself, and yeah, it freshens things up for a bit, but I doubt it's actually cleaning. Honestly, baking soda and vinegar did more for me—less swampy, more neutral smell. Grease though...inevitable kitchen evil, sadly.
Honestly, baking soda and vinegar did more for me—less swampy, more neutral smell.
I've tossed orange peels down mine a few times, and yeah, it smells nice for a day or so, but doesn't tackle the deeper funk. Agree with you on baking soda and vinegar—they're my go-to combo too. For grease, though, I've found running hot water with a squirt of dish soap every now and then helps keep the swamp monster at bay...at least temporarily.
