We’ve all experienced it – you walk into your kitchen and your nose immediately wrinkles up. Something smells off. You take out your garbage, you do all your dishes, you wipe down the counters and even mop the floor, but something’s still not quite right. It is then that you realize the smell is coming from your sink.
Unfortunately, while garbage disposals are incredibly useful tools in the kitchen, they can also be the source of stuck-on bits of food that go bad or harbor foul-smelling bacteria. And even if you do not have a garbage disposal, lingering food particles can cause a less-than-pleasant smell to come out of your sink drain. That’s why routine cleaning and maintenance is important – luckily, it is also simple.
There are a few ways to clean out a kitchen drain:
Flush the Drain
Sometimes, something as simple as flushing your drain can get rid of unpleasant smells and lingering gunk. If you have a big pot, fill it with boiling water and pour that down the drain. Wait 5 minutes, follow up with cold water to congeal any grease that may be remaining, then rinse once more with boiling water to make sure you have flushed everything down the drain. This can be a quick and easy fix that will help keep your drains clean and odor-free!
Baking Soda & Vinegar
Whether or not you have a garbage disposal, a combination of baking soda and vinegar is a great natural cleaner. Pour one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar into your drain, and let it bubble for up to 10 minutes. Then pour a pot of hot water down the drain to flush out the mixture. You will get rid of any lingering food or bacteria, and your drain will smell clean again.
Ice Cubes & Salt
Believe it or not, ice cubes are a great way to knock any food off your disposal blades, and kosher salt can help scrub down the sides. Adding about a cup of ice cubes and a handful of kosher salt to your disposal and letting it run can help clean the disposal and get rid of any food particles. For an added burst of freshness, consider tossing in a few lemon or orange peels – you’ll enjoy the fresh citrus scent while cleaning your sink at the same time!
Bathroom Sink Odors
Sometimes, the scent is not coming from your kitchen sink. Instead, you find that your bathroom sink smells weird, and you are not sure how to fix it. Cleaning the P-trap is one good option, but depending on the type of smell, you may need a professional. For example, if your drain smells sulfurous, you may be dealing with a blocked vent that cannot necessarily be handled on your own.
If you have tried home remedies for a foul-smelling drain and nothing has worked for you, contacting an experienced local plumber may be your best bet. The team at Proficient Plumbing & Heating provides you with free estimates and 24-hour emergency services, so you can get help as soon as you need it. Get in touch with us today to see what we can do for you!