u/Major-Ladder-1802

So I moved into this rental about 6 months ago and honestly just avoided using the garbage disposal because it smelled absolutely horrible. Well, I finally can't ignore it anymore because the whole kitchen reeks whenever I run water down the drain.

I've tried the usual stuff like running hot water and throwing some ice cubes down there, but it's still pretty gross. The smell is like a mix of old food and something sour that just won't go away no matter what I do.

I'm worried I might have really messed it up by letting it sit for so long. Has anyone dealt with a really neglected disposal before? What actually works when the basic cleaning tips aren't cutting it anymore?