We’ve all had that moment when you walk into the house and say “What is that smell?” After ruling out the trash, you turn to the kitchen sink and are overpowered by the odor. Disposals can retain food bacteria in the blades, making for an olfactory nightmare. Does this mean that you need a drain cleaning? Phoenix plumbing experts Plumbing Masters say maybe, maybe not. Below are a few options to try at home first.
- Pour a cup of white vinegar down the drain, let it stand for 30 minutes, and then rinse with hot water.
- Pour ½ cup baking soda into the kitchen sink. Get as much of the baking soda as possible into the drain. Allow it to sit for 30 to 45 minutes. Rinse the baking soda down.
- Run some lemon peel through the garbage disposal for 20 seconds.
If your drain just had some bacteria, these steps should alleviate the smell. If however, the smell comes back in 48 hours or less, you may want to call a Phoenix drain cleaning professional to come take a look at your sink as it may need a cleaning.
There are a few easy steps that you can take to maintain your drain. You should always be careful what you put down the drain and take regular action to clear small deposits that inevitably form.
- Never pour grease down the drain, and clean greasy pots and pans as thoroughly as possible with a paper towel before cleaning in hot water in the sink.
- Never dump chemicals such as paint or paint thinners down a drain–even a shower drain or utility sink.
- Clean all your sink stoppers regularly.
- Once a week pour boiling hot water down your drains.
