Drain Odor Removal

Food, grease and other debris cause drains to smell.

An unpleasant odor quickly turns a home into a stinky mess. When the stink is coming from the drain, trying to figure out how to remove the odor is a challenge. Drain odor is typically caused by bacteria growing in the pipes. The odor seeps out of the drain and fills the room with a nose-wrinkling odor. Fortunately, household items found in many kitchens are able to eliminate the drain odor and prevent clogs without using expensive, toxic chemicals.

Things You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Drain cover
• Kettle or pot
• Coffee grounds

Instructions

White Vinegar

1. Pour 1 cup of distilled white vinegar down the smelly drain. Let the vinegar sit in the drain for 30 minutes.

2. Flush the drain clean with hot water. Let the water run for 2 to 5 minutes.

3. Repeat the process whenever the odor returns.

Baking Soda

1. Pour 1 cup of baking soda directly down the drain. Consider pouring 1 cup of white vinegar directly down the drain after adding the baking soda.

2. Cover the drain with a drain cover and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Bring a kettle or pot filled with water to a boil on the stove. Remove the drain cover and pour the boiling water directly down the drain.

4. Repeat the process weekly to prevent clogs and keep odors away.

Coffee Grounds

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add 1 cup of coffee grounds to the boiling water and stir with a spoon.

2. Pour the hot water and coffee grounds down the smelly drain. Let the mixture sit in the drain for 10 minutes.

3. Flush the pipes clean by running hot water down them for 2 to 3 minutes.

References

• Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia Guide to less Toxic Products: Household Cleaners
• Natural Healthy Home Cleaning Tips: Vinegar and Baking Soda Cleaning Recipes
• The Good Human; 16 Ways To Reuse Old Coffee Grounds; June 2010
• About Coffees: 8 Ways To Make Use Of Left Over Coffee Grounds