Creating a home that looks and feels good is a priority for most. Having a home that is friendly on the nose is equally important. If you have a smell that you can't unearth, the culprit might be one of the many drains in your home.
When you enter your house only to be assaulted by a bad odour, nothing will stop you from uncovering that smell. If your odour investigation has come up dry, consider looking to the many drains in your home. If your nose can narrow down the type of smell, you'll be well on your way to determining which drain contains the assaulting odour.
Consider inspecting all the drains in your home, including Kitchen and bathroom sinks, floor drains, toilets, and garbage disposals. All are susceptible to odour-causing bacteria, and all your drains can fill your house with an unpleasant odour. Once you've unearthed that smell, consider your plans for eradicating it.
Why Your Sink Smells Bad
If your bad smell is of the sewer variety and comes from your bathroom sink or toilet, you'll know it immediately. Sewer gasses need to escape, and they do this through the p-trap in your sink and toilet. This can only happen if there is water in them.
If your sink or toilet remains unused for any significant amount of time, the water that sits in the p-trap will evaporate, allowing these gasses to enter your home and provide you with that nasty smell. Keep water in all your sink's p-traps and toilet bowls, even if they aren't being used regularly. This is a quick fix and one that will prevent any future problems.
How To Get Rid of Sink Odours
If the smell coming from your bathroom sink would make a house fly nauseous, you likely have an extensive collection of hair, toothpaste and skin cells in the drain pipe. With years of use, it's no wonder you need to clean it out occasionally.
Pour a cup of baking soda down that drain and let sit for 15 minutes. Now pour a kettle full of hot water down, but first add a half cup of white vinegar to the water. This will cause a reaction. The baking soda will bubble.
Cover the drain with a bowl to contain it. Wait half an hour and flush the drain with fresh water. Repeating this method if necessary and whenever needed will keep the bathroom drains clean and odour-free.
How To Clean Your Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposal takes a beating, and it's no wonder it fights back with a nasty odour. Proper use of the disposal system is key in preventing odours. Always run cold water while grinding food.
If your disposal does take on a smell, there are products on the market for cleaning, but several remedies are simple, safe and readily available in your home. Lemon, bleach, baking soda, vinegar and ice cubes will all freshen up a garbage disposal. Brushing any plastic lining will also go a long way in eliminating many odour-causing bacteria.