You're expecting guests, but suddenly you smell it - the foul smell coming from the drain and filling the entire kitchen. What can you do? If the sink stinks, grease and food residue are often to blame. Read on to find out which methods and home remedies help against bad smells from the kitchen drain.
The sink stinks: why is it?
A smelly sink is usually caused by bacteria that form from grease and food particles that have been washed down the drain. These then settle in the pipes and cause the familiar smell of rotten eggs.
What helps against the smelly drain?
To eliminate the smell in the sink, you must first remove any clogs that are causing the smell. Please note that these are not always visible. Even if the water is running normally and the drain hole is not blocked, there may be more or less deposits in the pipe. Here we share a few effective methods you can try to get rid of the smell quickly.
Pour boiling water
Start the fight with the smelly drain with a simple trick. In many cases, something as straightforward as boiling water can solve your problem quickly and effortlessly. All you should do is bring the kettle to a boil and then slowly pour some boiling hot water down the drain. Wait five minutes and then pour an equal amount of cold water down the drain. This should solidify the remaining grease and hopefully clear the clog and smell.
The suction cup as a classic solution
The good old plunger is another classic solution to drainage problems. It is perfectly able to remove blockages and free the pipes from dirt and residue.
Place the suction cup on the sink drain and pump vigorously up and down for at least a minute to remove debris. Then pour boiling water in again to rinse out any residue.
Vinegar helps when the sink stinks
When it comes to bad smells, the home remedy vinegar is a real secret weapon. It has a strong smell itself, which is wonderfully able to neutralize the stench. The smell of vinegar disappears shortly afterwards and the problem is solved.
Here's what you should do: Pour a cup of white vinegar down the drain and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse the sink with hot water to prevent large clogs. If you're dealing with a recurring smelly sink, repeat this process once a month to get rid of the foul smell.
To enhance the effect of vinegar, you can combine it with another household miracle product.Baking soda works well for cleaning drainsand helps eliminate unpleasant odors. Simply add 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda down the drain before pouring in the vinegar. After the baking soda begins to foam, wait 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
Salt as a home remedy for smelly kitchen drains
Many housewives swear by the effectiveness of simple table salt to eliminate bad smells from the kitchen sink. And how does the trick work? You simply put 2 tablespoons of salt into the drain and let it work for about 30 minutes. Then rinse with cold water from the tap and the smell should disappear.
Check the U-tube
If the above methods do not solve the problem, the sink U-bend may be clogged. The U-pipe is located under the drain hole and is usually filled with water to prevent drain odors from escaping.
The easiest way to clean a clogged U-bend is to unclog the clog. To do this, you should carefully remove the U-tube with a wrench and drain the water it contains into a basin. The remaining residue can then be easily removed using a wire brush and a little warm water.
Prevent a smelly sink: no leftovers in the drain!
Well, if your drain no longer causes odors, there are a few things you can do to avoid having problems with it in the future. When washing dishes, make sure that no leftover food runs down the drain. A simple, close-meshed sieve over the drain can collect the coarse residues and you should regularly dispose of them with residual or organic waste. If this is too gross for you, just wear household gloves.
Be careful about what you put down the drain and regularly remove any buildup. Absolutely no grease should be poured down the drain as it is the most common reason for the smelly kitchen sink. Hair also has no place in the drain and should under no circumstances be flushed down.
Also interesting:You should never throw these things down the drain!
