How to stop smelly drains?

Author: Cora Morar IV  |  Last update: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

How to stop the smell
  1. Carefully pour half a cup of baking soda down the plughole.
  2. Pour one cup of vinegar down the plughole after the baking soda.
  3. Let the solution foam up; leave it for an hour or more to work.
  4. Pour hot boiling water down the sink after an hour to flush it through.

How do you get rid of smell in the drain?

Baking soda and vinegar are worth exploring to clean a stinky drain. Run your hot faucet for several seconds before turning it off. Tip one cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by two cups of hot vinegar. Let it fizz, then flush the drain with hot tap water after one hour.

What causes smelly drains?

There could be odor-causing bacteria feeding on debris in your pipes. This process will give off a foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide gas, which smells like sewage or rotten eggs. Also, mold grows where it's warm and wet — and mold growth on the debris causing a drain clog can also cause a bad smell.

What is the best product to get rid of smelly drains?

Baking Soda and Vinegar: - Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drain. - Follow this with 1 cup of white vinegar. You'll see it fizz and bubble; this reaction helps break down grime and odors. - Let the mixture sit for about 15-30 minutes. Rinse with Hot Water:

What happens if you put too much baking soda down the drain?

Baking soda powder will turn into a cement like mass and completely clog everything it settles in.

How To Get Rid of That Awful Smell in Your Sink Drain [Just 1 Minute]

Why you should never use baking soda and vinegar to clean a drain?

Vinegar and baking soda are harmful to your drain, both individually and when combined. Baking soda is abrasive, which, when used in large quantities, will cause the drain more damage. Additionally, the acidic nature of vinegar can eat away rubber and metal, damaging the plumbing.

Does bleach help a stinky drain?

To use bleach to kill odor-causing bacteria, first, fill your sink with hot water. Then, add about one cup of regular household bleach to the sink. After you've added the bleach, allow the sink to drain. Repeat the process until the drain smells more like bleach than anything else.

What is a good drain deodorizer?

Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution

One of the most popular and effective home remedies for smelly drains involves the use of baking soda and vinegar. This dynamic duo not only eliminates unpleasant odors but also helps in clearing minor clogs. Steps: Pour a cup of baking soda down the smelly drain.

Does pouring vinegar down the drain make it smell better?

Vinegar is a common household product that can be used to kill germs, mold, and bacteria. The unique properties found in this common item can also help rid your sink of unpleasant odors. Simply pour one cup of vinegar down the drain and wait for 30 minutes.

Why do all my drains smell like sewage?

A clog in the drain line will create a buildup of organic matter like hair and soap. Bacteria grows on the drain clog, developing an unpleasant sewage-like odor.

What does foul smelling drainage mean?

Slightly colored drainage or discharge that changes color may be a sign of an infection. Odor: Most of the time, smell is not a good indicator of an infection. However, a foul or strong odor from a wound may indicate an infection, and the person should see a doctor.

Can I leave Mr. Muscle drain Gel overnight?

Using innovative drain unblocking technology, Mr Muscle's new biodegradable formula delivers the power to unclog bathroom drains in just 5 hours. Use it at night, let it work its magic and wake up to freely flowing drains.

How to get sewer smell out of house?

How to Remove the Sewer Gas Smell from Your Home
  1. Identifying the source of sewer gas smell. ...
  2. Repair or replace damaged plumbing connections. ...
  3. Check floor drains and new plumbing to remove odor. ...
  4. Clean and deodorize drains. ...
  5. Using odor absorbers for sewer gas smell. ...
  6. Ventilate your home. ...
  7. Call a Professional Help for Sewer Gas Smell.

What to put down a sink to stop smell?

First, pour half a cup of baking soda straight down the plughole. Then, follow that up with a cup of vinegar. These two should react to form a foamy solution. You can leave this solution to work for at least two hours before pouring some boiling water down the drain to clear it away.

Does apple cider vinegar help drain smell?

You can unclog drains with the power of acids and bases. Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, and follow it with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar. It will fizz and foam, breaking down the clogs and deodorizing. After about 15 minutes, pour hot water down the drain.

Why you should never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.

How to fix a stinky drain?

Pour a cup of baking soda into the drain, and follow it up with two cups of hot vinegar (near boiling point). Allow the mixture to fizz and leave for an hour. Pour hot tap water down the drain and see if the clog clears.

Can I pour boiling water down the drain?

Pouring boiling water is quite risky as it might lead to a steam burn or scalding. Another thing to keep in mind is what type of material you are pouring in into. If you have a porcelain sink, it is likely to crack due to the heat. All in all, pouring boiling water down your drain will only cause issues down the road.

How to get rid of smelly drains outside?

To fix a smelly drain, you can use a combination of hot water, baking soda, vinegar, and even lemon to run through the drain to get rid of the smell. If none of those remedies seem to work, you may need to consult with plumbing company in Hampshire to address the problem.

How to clean a p-trap without removing it?

Pour some baking soda down your drain and then pour boiling water down after. Sometimes this will clear the clog. Use a plunger on your sink drain to try to force the clog out of the trap.

Is green gobbler safe on pipes?

This is a big deal when you live in a home with a septic system. We were always hesitant to use certain products in the past and Green Gobbler's products truly give us peace of mind. The Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolverdoes not contain bleach or sodium hydroxide, and it's safe for PVC and copper pipes.

What is a natural cleaner for smelly drains?

Vinegar contains acid which neutralizes odor, cuts through grease, and helps disinfect. By heating up (but not boiling) four cups of vinegar, pouring half down the drain, running the water for a minute, and then pouring the remaining vinegar down the drain, you can help eliminate smells and smaller clogs.

Is hydrogen peroxide safe for drains?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is safe to use for unclogging a drain.

How do you deodorize a shower drain?

First, pour one cup of baking soda followed by one cup of white vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain and allow the mixture to fizzle inside of the pipes for a few minutes. Once the fizzle starts to subside, rinse the drain with hot water.

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