Admittedly, a smelly drain, even if it's not blocked, is very unpleasant. If the drain pipe is also gurgling and the water is not draining properly, then you need to act quickly. We explain how you can clean a smelly drain and solve blockages in the shower drain, sink and sink with simple home remedies.
The drain smells but is not blocked: Possible causes
Many people know the problem: The drain stinks, but is not blocked. What could be causing this unpleasant smell?
- Leftover food, hair or detergent residue has accumulated and is rotting. Even if the water is currently draining without any problems, you shouldClean the drain thoroughly.
- Stagnant water in the drain: If you haven't used the sink or sink in the last two weeks, then the water in the drain has probably evaporated. There is certainly stagnant tap water in the sewer, the smell of which is then carried into the house.
- Clogged ventilation valves, improperly vented drain pipes or incorrectly installed pipes can also lead to water stagnating somewhere in the sewer and unpleasant smells.
Drain smells like rotten eggs: denture cleaner can help
If the drain really stinks, a denture cleaner can prove particularly helpful. It has disinfectant properties and can reliably remove odors. To be on the safe side, you should first shake 1 liter of hot water down the drain and then add a tablet. Wait a quarter of an hour and then rinse the drain with hot water.
Clean the drain with lemon juice
You can also clean the drain with lemon juice. In this case, first fill 2 liters of lukewarm water and then about 500 ml of lemon juice. Shake the bottle so that the juice is completely dissolved and pour the solution down the drain.
Clean the drain with salt
Salt can also remove unpleasant odors. Pour a maximum of 2 tablespoons of salt into the drain and leave it to work for 10 to 15 minutes. Then shake 5 liters of lukewarm tap water down the drain.
Cleaning the drain: home remedies that you can use to solve blockages
If the drain pipe is gurgling and the water is not draining properly, you should act quickly. Otherwise, you can completely block the drain and then cleaning it will be much more complicated. In any case, there are some tricks and useful home remedies that you can use to get it clean and, above all, free.
Clean clogged and smelly shower drains with detergent
Shower drains are currently very trendy. Unfortunately, cleaning is a little more complicated because you can't find a hair strainer insert for it. Fortunately, the hair collects in the feet of the gutter cover, because straight hair is difficult to removesolve with home remedies. When cleaning, proceed as follows:
- Remove the hair in the drain. It's best to do this by hand. You can wear rubber gloves.
- Apply some dishwashing liquid around the drain, clean the rail with a soft sponge.
- You can quickly remove soap residue with several drops of white wine vinegar. If necessary, you can add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to the drain pipe and then shake in about 100 ml of vinegar. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then rinse the opening with water.
- Place the clean and dry gutter cover on top.
Use dishwasher tablets to remove grease and dirt from the kitchen drain
If the sink doesn't drain, you can use dishwasher tabs. These are perfect for removing grease and dirt. Proceed as follows:
- First bring 1.5 liters of water to the boil.
- Then add two dishwasher tablets to the water.
- Wait for them to dissolve and then shake the solution down the kitchen drain.
- Wait about 15 minutes and then rinse the drain opening with lukewarm tap water.
Clean sink drain with vinegar and soda
A tried and tested home remedy is the combination of vinegar and soda. First add 2 to 3 tablespoons of soda into the opening, then shake in about 250 ml of white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Wait 10 minutes and rinse with lukewarm tap water.
Clean clogged toilet drain
A clogged toilet drain can also be cleaned with baking soda and vinegar. This means you can also quickly remove limescale or urine scale deposits. Proceed as already described: First add 2 tablespoons of baking powder orBaking soda in the toilet, then add half a liter of vinegar. You let the home remedy work for about a quarter of an hour and then rinse the drain several times.
NB
If you have already cleaned the drain and the smell still cannot be removed, then it is a case for a professional. An old drain pipe could also be damaged by some home remedies. So if you live in an old building, you should call a professional to be on the safe side.
