A smelly sink drain can be unpleasant and frustrating. It can make your kitchen or bathroom feel dirty even when everything else is clean. The odor usually comes from a variety of common culprits, including trapped food particles, grease buildup, or bacteria growing inside the pipes. You may wonder, how do you clean a smelly sink drain? Fortunately, you can get rid of bad smells and keep your drain fresh with a few simple drain cleaning methods.
How to Clean a Smelly Sink Drain
A sink drain can develop odors for several reasons. A stinky drain is most common in the kitchen due to cooking and food preparation. Food scraps, grease, and soap residue can collect in the pipes of your kitchen drain. This is a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause seriously odorous smells. The garbage disposal especially may become coated with food debris that contributes to a rancid smell.
Bathroom drains can also get smelly due to the buildup of hair, soap scum, and toothpaste. Additionally, hair, beauty products, soap, and toothpaste can get trapped in the sink drain, leading to unwanted smells, which can make getting ready a nightmare.
A great method for all of the sink drains in your house includes using natural products you likely already have in your house. Below are some common methods to get out smells from your drain.
Dish Soap and Hot Water
The kitchen drain is often the most common area when it comes to smelliness. This is because food particles, grease, and soap residue can get trapped in the sink drain and create a perfect environment for bacteria to grow and thrive. Bacteria growth and old food can create nasty smells that take over your kitchen.
Combat kitchen drain smells by squirting dish soap straight into the drain. Heat a pot of hot water and pour it down the drain. This can loosen up the grime stuck to the drain pipes. After you have poured the hot water down the drain, run the hot water for a few minutes. This should remove mild buildup and improve the smell of the area. Persistent smells may require more aggressive treatment from repiping experts experienced in drain cleaning.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Another great way to address sink drain smells is with baking soda and vinegar. Using natural ingredients to address the issue is simple and straightforward. Start by pouring one-half of a cup of baking soda down the drain. It may not go down easily but do your best to get it down the drain. Then, pour one cup of vinegar down the drain. You will immediately notice the fizzing that will occur. Let this sit for about 10 minutes so it can get working. It is helpful in removing grime and deodorizing the pipes. Flush the drain with hot water for a few minutes. This should do the trick for minor smells.
How To Address Stubborn Smells
If the home remedies above do not work, it is time to call the professionals. Professional piping experts are skilled and experienced in drain cleaning. Smelly drains can usually be addressed with at-home methods if they are mild. However, intense smells that have lasted for a while require help from experts. Piping professionals can clean the drains and find the root cause of the smells. This can keep your home smelling great for the long haul.
If you have stubborn, persistently smelly drains, contact the team at Henrik Plumbing today to schedule an appointment! Their highly rated team can help you maintain your pipes and get the best out of your plumbing.