When your drain smells, you can use a number of homemade remedies to eliminate the odor. First, run hot water through the drain.

Then pour a cup of hot vinegar down the drain to create fizzing action that helps remove odors and break up any congealed grease. Wait an hour, then flush the drain with hot water.

Boiling Water

When you boil water, it dissolves and flushes away any gunk that’s built up inside your drain. The hot water also kills any bacteria that might be causing the smelly drain.

It’s a good idea to do this at least once a month, or whenever you notice a smelly drain. This simple technique is cheap, easy to do and can help prevent clogged or stinky drains.

The most common cause of smelly drains is food particles mixed with soap scum, which can build up and clog the drain. Other causes of smelly drains include hair, grease and sludge. Sewage can also cause stinky kitchen drains if it backs up into the home.

To avoid these odors, you can try to be more careful about what you put down the drain. You can try to throw out food waste regularly in the garbage and never pour fat or oil down the drain. You can also try to use a mesh screen in your sink or bathtub to catch any food or hair that might fall down the drain.

If you are dealing with a very smelly drain, you can try to flush it out using baking soda and vinegar. This is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to get rid of a stinky drain. Start by putting 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. The mixture will fizz and bubble, so you may want to cover the drain with a towel to keep it from overflowing. Let the mixture sit for at least an hour, but overnight is better. After the hour is up, run some hot water down the drain to rinse it.

If this doesn’t work, you may need to call a professional plumber. Some clogs and smelly drains are too stubborn and cannot be solved through DIY methods.

Vinegar

If you can’t find the source of your smelly drain, or if boiling water hasn’t worked, try using vinegar. Like baking soda, vinegar is a natural deodorizer that helps break down and wash away organic buildup. The acetic acid in vinegar can also help dissolve soap scum and other sticky, smelly substances that may be clogging your drain or trapping food particles.

Pour a cup of hot vinegar down your drain and let it sit for an hour or overnight, then rinse. This will clear out any gunk, get rid of the odor, and help prevent future blockages. If your drain still stinks, repeat this process until it smells fresh again.

Another option is to use a natural drain treatment that adds non-smelly, bacteria-eating “good” microbes to your pipes. A monthly application of BioOne will keep your drains free from clogs and bad odors, without harming your pipes.

You can also make a homemade drain cleaner by combining baking soda and vinegar. First, mix a half-cup of table salt and a cup of baking soda in your sink or bathtub. Dump the mixture down your drain and watch it fizz. Let it sit for an hour or longer (overnight is best) and then flush the drain with hot water.

If this doesn’t work, you may need to call a plumber to look at the clog or the pipe. A plumber will be able to determine the source of the problem, and then provide you with a solution. If you have a regular smelly drain, cleaning or flushing it on a weekly basis should keep it from getting worse. If you have a recurring problem with smelly drains, consider hiring a professional plumber to perform an inspection and deep clean. They can remove any lingering debris, clean the clogged drain, and recommend solutions that will prevent odors from returning. They will also be able to recommend any other maintenance services that will keep your home’s plumbing in tip-top shape. You deserve to have clean, healthy drains!

Baking Soda

When food and grease settle in your sink drain, they often cause a smell that lingers throughout your home. The good news is that you can banish this unpleasant odor with household items such as baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda works well on its own to neutralize odours, but when combined with vinegar, it can also help to remove build-up and dislodge clogs.

Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. This simple solution will cause a fizzing reaction that helps to break down any accumulated food or fat stuck in the drain. After letting the mixture sit for about 10 minutes, flush the drain with hot water. This technique can be repeated as needed to keep your sink drain smelling fresh and clean.

The acetic acid in white vinegar works with the baking soda to lift away grease, soap scum and grime that accumulate in your pipes. In addition, the bubbling action of this mixture helps to dislodge and wash away any smelly debris that has accumulated in the drain. This method is especially effective if you have a smelly kitchen drain caused by oil or other foods that may have accumulated in the trap.

Using baking soda and vinegar is an easy, safe and inexpensive way to get rid of stinky drains. This natural solution works well for most types of smelly drains, including those caused by rotten food or soiled pans.

If you are still having a problem with smelly drains, you may need to use more powerful cleaning products to remove hardened grease or food clogs. However, regular use of this combination will keep your drains smelling clean and fresh for a long time.

Another method that is effective for most drain problems is to mix equal parts of borax and baking soda and pour it down the drain. This solution will quickly and effectively eliminate a smelly drain. Borax is a natural product that is effective for most drain issues, and the baking soda will make sure that any remaining odours are completely neutralized.

Ice Cubes

Whether you’re dealing with a smelly sink, drain, or garbage disposal, ice cubes can help to get rid of those lingering food particles. Simply toss a few cubes in the freezer– or use an airtight ice cube tray, as suggested by our friends at The Sweethome– and dump them into your disposal whenever the odor gets bad. The ice will disperse and remove the odor and help loosen any stuck-on food particles, too.

Garbage disposals often trap food particles that can then become breeding grounds for odor-causing bacteria. To help keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh, run a few ice cubes and some coarse rock salt down the drain once a week. This will loosen any food debris and break up grease that can build up and block the drain.

The ice cube method is also an effective way to clean out smelly bathtub and shower drains. Pour a few cups of ice and table salt down the drain while running cold water, then follow up with a plastic drain snake to break up and clear away clogs. Be sure to rinse the snake with cold water afterward and scrub any remaining clogs with a wire brush.

If your drains are still smelling after using baking soda and vinegar, try a few drops of your favorite essential oil down the drain to absorb any remaining odors. Sprinkle a tablespoon or so of baking soda down your drains periodically to help control odors as well.

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