Do you have a sink or drain in the bathroom that smells like sewage? Sewage odors are unfortunately a very common problem that often occurs in the home – regardless of whether it is in the kitchen or the bathroom.
We spend many hours every day in both the bathroom and the kitchen, which is why it is unpleasant to have a drain that smells like sewage. It ruins both the experience of standing in the kitchen and a nice moment in the bathroom.
But fear not! Fortunately, there is advice available if you suffer from a sewage smell from the bathroom or have one kitchen sink or a drain that smells. Read on and get good advice as well as tips and tricks on how to easily fix a drain that smells of sewage and get rid of the smell once and for all.
If you want more cleaning tips, you can also read our blog post on how to easily remove limescale from the tiles in the bathroom.
That’s why the drain smells like sewage
The smell of sewage in the house is an annoying problem that can be very annoying in the long run. If the sink and drain are not cleaned properly, a sewage smell can arise in the bathroom or an unpleasant smell from the kitchen sink. Fortunately, both parts can be managed with a few simple tricks.
There are several reasons why a drain in either the bathroom or the kitchen can smell like sewage. One of the most common reasons is that the drain is clogged.
Read along here and learn about some of the most common reasons why the drain can smell like sewage.
A full water trap
A full water trap is often one of the causes of the sewage smell in the kitchen or bathroom. The problem arises when, for example, food residues, hair, soap residue, dirt and other things get stuck in the drain.
That is why it is important that you remember to empty the water trap regularly – then you avoid bacteria getting into them, which causes the bad smell.
A dried up water trap
If the water trap is dried out, it can cause problems with sewage odors from the drain.
Under the hand or kitchen sink there is a pocket water trap, which is designed to prevent bad odors from rising into the sink . If the sink has been standing for a while without being used, the water can evaporate, which puts the water trap at risk of drying out. And this gives rise to a very bad smell.
Coatings in the overflow hole in the sink
If deposits form in the overflow hole that sits on the edge of the sink, it can also cause the drain to smell like sewage or rotten eggs.
If you overfill the sink with water on a daily basis – for example in connection with washing dishes by hand – a leak of dirty water can occur, which can give off a bad smell – typically due to bacteria. This helps to spread the smell in the kitchen and out into the rest of the home.
Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on how much water you fill in the sink to avoid odors from the kitchen sink.
How do I clean a drain that smells?
If the drain has started to smell like sewage – either because of the water trap or for other reasons, it is a good idea to take action to prevent the bad smell from the kitchen or bathroom from spreading throughout the home.
We guide you here on what you can do to get rid of the unpleasant odors from the drain.
1. Use vinegar and baking soda
Vinegar and baking soda are some of the best remedies to use when you want to fight sewer odors from the drain. Mix a cup of baking soda and vinegar and pour it down the drain. Leave it on for about half an hour and then rinse thoroughly with warm or boiling water. It will help dissolve deposits and remove odors from the kitchen sink and in the bathroom.
2. Use drain cleaner
You can also try using ordinary drain cleaner that you buy in the supermarket to remove bad odors from the drain. To achieve the best results, it is important that you follow the instructions on the product.
3. Use water and yeast
If you want to try a completely different method, you can also try your hand at something as simple as water and yeast. Take a cup of water and dissolve a packet of yeast in the water. When it has dissolved, you pour it down the drain in the kitchen sink and let it work overnight. It helps to dissolve the residues that are stuck in the drain and thus relieves the bad smell of sewage.
This is how you prevent the drain from smelling
Regular drain cleaning is one of the best things you can do to prevent the sink or drain from smelling like sewage in the kitchen or bathroom.
By taking care of the sewer system and the drains regularly, you can avoid the drain becoming clogged with soap residue, hair and dirt, which cause the drain to smell rotten. Therefore, avoid flushing large amounts of hair and food residues down the drain when you shower or cook.
In addition, it is a good idea to regularly clean and empty the water trap with soap and water. If you want to be extra thorough with the cleaning, you can also use a bottle cleaner to clean the drains once in a while. It helps to prevent the drains from becoming clogged and thus causing sewer smells.
If you are not at home for a period of time, it is a good idea to pour a small amount of water into all sinks in the home to prevent the water traps from drying out. It all helps to prevent unpleasant sewage odors in the home.
Air out to avoid mold
Bad smells in the bathroom do not necessarily have to be caused by bacteria from sinks and drains. In fact, it can be caused by mold, which often occurs in bathrooms because the environment is typically warm and humid.
To avoid mould, it is important to ventilate the bathroom properly. Poor ventilation can worsen odor problems. Be sure to wipe away the water the bathroom tiles every time you have showered and open the windows if possible. In this way, you can ensure that mold is not allowed to settle and cause an unpleasant smell.
Do you want more inspiration on how to keep the bathroom clean? Then read our blog post with tips on how to clean the tiles in the bathroom .
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