Unclog and freshen your drains with these simple household items
Food remnants falling into the kitchen drain can cause it to clog and emit an unpleasant odour. Fortunately, there's a straightforward way to avoid these problems. Toss one product down the drain that will instantly remove the unwanted smell and remnants of contaminants.
27 April 2024 19:34
Modern drainage systems come equipped with special grates designed to catch food remnants, bathroom drains, and hair. This design minimises the amount of contaminants that enter the pipes. However, there are occasions when the grate might move or the contaminants are so fine they slip through it.
In such instances, after a few days, an unpleasant odour might begin to emanate from the sink. Nonetheless, a simple solution exists for this issue. Just pour a certain ingredient down the drain, which most of us have at home.
How to tell if your drain is clogged?
A clogged drain often surprises us. Generally, clogs develop slowly and without warning. Pouring leftover fat down the drain or washing dishes without a grates can, after a few days, ensure a surprise when water stops flowing down the pipes as it should.
Fortunately, there's no immediate need to call a plumber in such situations. Pour a generous amount of baking soda, followed by a dash of vinegar or citric acid, into the drain, and then pour nearly a litre of hot water down after it.
When combined with acid or vinegar, baking soda starts a robust chemical reaction. The effervescence in the drain will commence, although this should reduce after a few minutes. This concoction effectively addresses the clog. However, if the clog persists, it indicates a pipe blockage, necessitating a call to a plumber.
How to get rid of the unpleasant smell from the drain?
Occasionally, even if the drain isn't clogged, an unpleasant odour can linger in the kitchen or sometimes throughout the house. To combat this, try the following simple trick.
Grate a bar of soap on a grater with fine holes. Then, pour the soap flakes down the drain and follow with a small amount of warm water from the tap. The soap dissolves grease and dirt while eliminating the unpleasant odour. Mix in a tablespoon of baking soda with the soap for an enhanced cleaning effect. This combination boosts the soap's effectiveness and helps remove food remnants. For optimal results, repeat this procedure once a week.
