"For stubborn smells, sometimes dismantling and cleaning the rubber splash guard underneath is the only real fix."
Yeah, learned that one the hard way myself. Took mine apart once and found stuff under there I didn't even recognize anymore... pretty gross. Curious though, has anyone tried those enzyme-based cleaners? I've heard they're good for breaking down grease and organic buildup, but never actually tested them out in a disposal. Wonder if they'd help with the swamp monster smell?
I've tried enzyme cleaners a few times, and honestly, they're pretty decent. They won't magically erase years of buildup overnight, but regular use does help keep the swamp monster at bay... definitely worth a shot before dismantling again.
Have you tried the ice cube trick yet? Toss a handful of ice cubes and some coarse salt down there, run it for about 20 seconds. Helps scrape off some of that nasty buildup... might freshen things up a bit between enzyme treatments.
"Have you tried the ice cube trick yet? Toss a handful of ice cubes and some coarse salt down there, run it for about 20 seconds."
Tried this last weekend after my disposal started smelling like something crawled in and died. Worked pretty well, but heads up—make sure the lid's on tight. I learned the hard way when an ice cube shot out and scared the cat half to death. Disposal smells better, but now the cat won't go near the kitchen sink... win some, lose some, I guess.
I've done the ice cube and salt thing a few times, and yeah, it helps short-term. But have you checked underneath the rubber splash guard lately? Last tenant I had complained about a nasty smell, and turns out there was a whole layer of gunk hiding under there. Scrubbed it out with an old toothbrush and some baking soda paste—problem solved. Maybe worth a quick look if the smell keeps coming back.
