Below is a list of the different methods you can use to get rid of nasty kitchen sink drain odours.
For rotting food smells, try one of the DIY or chemical cleaning methods. For sewer gas smells follow the instructions for checking your U-bend.
DIY drain cleaning methods
The following methods are useful for getting rid of rotting food smells.
- Boiling water
Boil a pan or kettle full of water
Slowly pour it down the plughole, a splash at a time
Wait 5 minutes
Run the cold tap to force any remaining grease to congeal and flush through - White vinegar
Pour a small amount of white vinegar down the plughole
Let it stand for 30 minutes
Rinse with hot water - Baking soda and vinegar
Pour half a cup of baking soda down the plughole
Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the plughole
Let the solution foam up and leave it to stand for a few hours
Pour some boiling water down the plughole to flush everything through
Chemical cleaning methods
The following methods are useful for getting rid of rotting food smells.
Bio-enzyme drain cleaner
This is an eco-friendly, non-toxic chemical cleaner. It works by using enzymes that eat the food debris without causing any damage to your pipes.
Ready-made drain cleaner
Ready-made drain cleaning chemicals can be bought from most hardware stores or supermarkets.
But beware. These chemicals can be dangerous. Always follow the instructions printed on the packaging and wear rubber gloves and goggles.
Check the U-bend
The U-bend pipe under your kitchen sink is also known as a sewer gas trap. This U-bend should always be full of water and acts as a barrier to stop sewer gas escaping out of the plughole.
Help get rid of sewage gas smell by checking the following:
- Has the water in the U-bend evaporated? This can happen if you’ve been on holiday and not run any water for a while. The simple solution is to run some water to fill up the U-bend.
- Is there a leak in the U-bend? Check for drips or damp patches under the sink. If there’s a leak, call a professional plumber to fix it for you. You can get more help on how to diagnose leaking pipes here.
- Is there an obstruction in the U-bend? If there’s still a blockage after cleaning, remove the U-bend with a wrench and clean it out with a wire brush.
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