Making story #1 The Hunt for the Source of the Smell

How a Simple Kitchen Problem Turned into a Surprising Solution

It was two years ago, on a quiet Monday morning. After sending my child off to school, I started my usual routine: picking up toys from the living room, folding laundry, running the dishwasher, and vacuuming every corner of the house. Finally, with everything in order, I brewed myself a cup of tea and sat at the kitchen table, ready to relax. But just as I exhaled, I noticed it—a faint but strange smell.

At first, I thought it was nothing. But the smell lingered, growing stronger. It was musty, unpleasant, and impossible to ignore, like something rotting somewhere in the house. Determined to find the source, I began my investigation.

I started with the trash can. I emptied it, scrubbed the inside thoroughly, and replaced the liner with a fresh one. But the smell didn’t go away. Next, I moved on to the fridge. Could it be spoiled food? I emptied every drawer, checked every corner—even behind the vegetable bin. But again, no luck.

Finally, I turned my attention to the sink. The smell seemed to be strongest near the sink area. Following advice I found online, I scrubbed the sink with baking soda and lemon, flushed it with hot water, and even cleaned the garbage disposal. But the smell persisted.

Frustration turned into obsession. I sat on the kitchen floor, sniffing around like a detective, determined to find the source. And that’s when I discovered it. The culprit wasn’t the sink or the trash can—it was my sink caddy.

The sink caddy, where I kept my dish soap and hand soap, looked innocent enough. But when I lifted the soap, I was horrified to find murky water and grime that had collected underneath. It had been sitting there, stagnant, creating the awful smell that had taken over my kitchen.

The caddy itself was a pretty, oval-shaped ceramic design. I had picked it out because it matched my kitchen decor and looked elegant on the countertop. But it wasn’t functional. It didn’t allow water to drain properly, leaving it to pool and fester. The realization hit me: something I used daily, believing it was clean and helpful, had been causing all this trouble.

I was shocked, frustrated, and honestly a little embarrassed. How had I not noticed this sooner? Why wasn’t there a better sink caddy out there—something that could drain water and stay dry while still looking beautiful? These questions lingered in my mind, and I couldn’t let them go.

That day marked the beginning of my journey to find a better solution. I didn’t know it then, but this small, smelly problem would lead to something much bigger.

In the next episode, I’ll share how I began searching for the perfect sink caddy—and the surprising discoveries I made along the way. Stay tuned!

Stella

 

Upcoming Story: "Uncovering the Mystery Smell"

The upcoming "Uncovering the Mystery Smell" series will take you through my personal journey of tracking down a strange odor in my home, the solutions I tried, and how it all eventually led to the creation of the "Instant Dry Sink Caddy."

This isn’t just a story about eliminating a smell. It’s about how one small problem in the midst of a busy life can grow into a major frustration—and how solving it can lead to unexpected discoveries and lessons. If you’ve ever dealt with similar challenges, I hope this series resonates with you and provides useful insights. Join me on this journey, and let’s uncover solutions together!