Step-by-Step Guide: Deodorizing Your Drain for a Fresh Home

Is there a strong, foul-smelling odor coming from your kitchen or bathroom? There’s a good chance that the smell is coming from your drain.

Smelly drains are a common issue for homeowners. No matter how careful you are about what goes into your drains, food/soap particles, grease, and other gross things will eventually cause your drains to reek. It’s best to handle the smell now instead of waiting for it to worsen.

There are a few home solutions you may attempt to get rid of this toxic stink from your drains. If you wish to go the DIY route, you’ll need a few things, such as:

• Boiling water
• Distilled white vinegar
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Lemon juice

In this blog, we’ll explain what to do with each of these household items and how they can remedy the smell coming from your drains. We’ll even tell you what’s causing this awful smell in the first place.

Rather have a professional get rid of the smell for you? That’s what we’re here for! Contact us, and one of our plumbers will have your drains smelling fresh quickly.

What causes a smelly drain?

Because different things might go wrong within the pipes, sink and shower drains are notorious for creating unpleasant odors over time.
The most common causes of stinky drains include:

• Bacteria and gunk:Food, hair, grease, and soap particles, among other things, may block your drains over time, as previously stated. These components may ultimately combine to form bacteria, emitting a foul odor.
• Sewer gases: The P trap is a U-shaped conduit under your bathroom sink that should constantly be full of water. Empty or dry P-traps enable odorous sewage gases to ascend from the drain, posing a health danger. This is common in sinks that are seldom used.
• Blocked vents: Vents are installed in plumbing systems to enable trapped gases to move through the pipes and escape to the outside. They then fade without leaving a stench in your house. These gases will seep out via your drains if your vent gets clogged.

Solution #1: Boiling water

Remember to underestimate the power of boiling hot water. Sometimes, all your drain needs is a nice hot flush. The heat from the boiling water may be enough to flush away any gunk, causing a smelly odor.
Just follow these simple steps:

1. Bring a small pot of water to a boil.
2. Pour half the pot of boiled water down the drain.
3. Allow a few minutes for the hot water to wash away any food particles or muck that may have been lodged in the drain.
4. Pour cold water down the drain to clean out the pipe and harden any remaining muck.
5. Pour the rest of the boiling water down the drain.

Solution #2: Distilled white vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent remedy for keeping your drains clean and fresh. It’s especially effective if it’s heated. The vinegar’s acetic acid helps neutralize the odor’s source. The acid in the vinegar can easily penetrate the grease and has disinfecting properties.
Follow these steps:

1. Heat four cups of white vinegar until it simmers.
2. Pour half of it down the drain and run the water for 60 seconds.
3. Repeat the procedure with the remaining hot vinegar.

This procedure frequently clears any minor obstructions in the drain, which are usually the cause of the stinky aromas.

Solution #3: Baking soda and salt

Baking soda may improve the smell and efficiency of your drains. The salt’s abrasive nature and the baking soda’s cleansing ability may efficiently eliminate odors from your drain.
For the best results, follow these steps:

1. Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain.
2. Pour a ½ cup of salt down the drain.
3. Allow the mixture to work/sit for a few hours (or overnight if it’s a tough clog).
4. Bring two cups of water to a boil and dump it down the drain.

The hot water flushes out the mixture along with any debris that’s dislodged during the process.

Solution #4: Lemon juice and baking soda

This mixture may leave your drains sparkling clean and smell wonderful. Lemons are high in natural citric acid. When lemon juice and baking soda are combined, they generate a foaming effect that may help clear obstructions and smells from your drain.
Follow these simple steps:

1. Pour a 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain.
2. Pour a 1/2 cup lemon juice down the drain as well.
3. Allow the solution to operate for one hour after plugging the drain.
4. Finally, pour hot tap water down the drain.

As we mentioned above, the hot water flushes out the mixture and any gunk that’s loosened during the process.