how do i clean the gunk out from under the rubber seal on the blade of the wildside jar? it's gross and smells.

Diagnosis

The "gunk" you are experiencing is a buildup of organic matter, proteins, and sugars that have bypassed the primary rubber gasket and seeped into the bearing housing and the recessed channel of the Wildside jar base. Because the Blendtec Designer 650 operates at extremely high RPMs, centrifugal force can push liquids and micro-particles past the seal during heavy blending cycles, especially when processing thick smoothies or nut butters. Over time, this trapped moisture creates a dark, anaerobic environment where bacteria and mold thrive, leading to the distinct "sour" or "rotten" smell. You can confirm this by running a small amount of warm water through the jar and smelling the steam; if the scent intensifies, the contamination is located specifically within the blade assembly's retaining ring area rather than the jar walls.

How to Fix It

To fully sanitize the assembly, you must perform a complete mechanical teardown of the blade system. You cannot effectively clean this area by simply running the blender on a "clean" cycle.

1. Locate your Blendtec Blade Removal Tool (Part #BDO-T). If you do not have this specific tool, do not attempt to pry the ring with a screwdriver, as you will warp the rubber seal and cause permanent leaks.
2. Place the Wildside jar upside down on a stable surface. Insert the BDO-T tool into the notches of the blade retainer ring.
3. Apply firm, steady pressure and rotate the tool counter-clockwise. You will feel a "pop" as the locking mechanism releases.
4. Lift the retainer ring straight up and out of the jar.
5. Carefully remove the rubber gasket (the O-ring) and the stainless steel blade assembly. Be mindful not to touch the sharpened edges of the Wildside blades.
6. Fill a basin with warm water and a mixture of grease-cutting dish soap and one tablespoon of baking soda. Soak the retainer ring and the rubber seal for 30 minutes.
7. Use a narrow interdental brush or a pipe cleaner to scrub the circular groove at the very bottom of the jar base where the seal sits. This is where 90% of the organic buildup resides.
8. Rinse all components under high-pressure running water.
9. Dry all parts completely with a lint-free cloth before reassembly. If you install the seal while it is damp, you may trap moisture and accelerate the return of the odor.
10. Reinsert the seal, then the blade, and lock the retainer ring by turning it clockwise until it clicks firmly into place.

If That Didn't Work

• White Vinegar Deep Soak: If the smell persists, create a 50/50 solution of distilled white vinegar and warm water. Soak the disassembled rubber seal and the plastic retainer ring for two hours. The acetic acid breaks down the biofilm that soap cannot reach.
• Oxygen Bleach Treatment: For heavy mold or black spotting, use a diluted solution of sodium percarbonate (oxygen bleach). Soak the parts for 15 minutes, then scrub with a soft nylon brush. Avoid using chlorine bleach as it can degrade the rubber compounds of the seal over time.
• Bearing Replacement: If the smell is metallic or "burnt" rather than organic, the internal bearings of the blade assembly have likely failed. Once the seal is breached and the bearings rust, no amount of cleaning will remove the odor. In this case, you must replace the entire blade assembly.
• High-Heat Sterilization: If the jar is the same model as the original Wildside (Tritan plastic), you can fill the jar with boiling water and a slice of lemon, letting it sit for 10 minutes before performing the mechanical teardown. This loosens the gunk for easier removal.

Heads Up

• Seal Inspection: Every time you remove the rubber seal, inspect it for "flat spots" or hairline cracks. A compromised seal is the primary cause of leaks that lead to gunk buildup.
• Avoid Overfilling: Filling the jar to the absolute brim increases the internal pressure during blending, which forces liquids past the seal and into the bearing housing.
• Dry Storage: Always store your Blendtec jar upside down or tilted slightly to ensure no residual water pools at the base of the blade assembly.
• Tool Maintenance: Keep your BDO-T tool stored with the jar. Attempting to use improvised tools like pliers usually results in stripping the plastic notches of the retainer ring, making it impossible to remove the blade in the future.