I too got icing buckets last year, to collect maple syrup. Hours of cleaning and soaking, and still that icing smell. My syrup turned, could have been because it was too late in the season...or maybe the fake icing. All soy and corn and unpronounceable ingredients.
I was trying to be green and frugal, but in the end, it wasn't worth the time. Much less the ribbing. On the plus side, the ribber took it all back when he needed to drain the oil in his tractor. Those buckets do come in handy.