Have you noticed that funny smell coming from your bathroom sink drain? Well, before you get down to cleaning it up, you must be clear on what is actually causing the problem, right? Sometimes, you see, the grime is the most common issue, other times, a biofilm built up in the pipes could be the cause. However, the problem can sometimes be more severe, such as the escape of sewer gas from a dry P-trap. So just get right up against the sink and take a good whiff.
Step 1: Try a Simple Hot Water Flush
A simple hot water flush of the drain is the easiest start. This technique is good for minor clogs and bacteria accumulation, you know? You first boil water in your pot or kettle and then, slowly, the same water should be poured down the drain. The water being hot will be enough to soften up oil, soap scum, and any other container that is triggering the odor.
Step 2: Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
Assuming boiling water did not do anything, then you can now try using a great, proven remedy at home which is baking soda and vinegar. To do this, you are going to have to pour about ½ a cup of baking soda down the drain. Next, you are to follow up with a cup of vinegar. You will hear fizzing as they react, that means it’s working. Let the mixture sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, and then just pour boiling water down the drain, and that’ll do the job. It sure is one of the effective methods.
Step 3: Clean the Sink Stopper
Sometimes, that nasty smell is not coming from being deep inside the drain but rather it is the sink itself that is at fault! The sink can hold hair, soap, or any debris that may eventually lead to unpleasant odor stoppers. Cleaning can only be done by taking out the stoppers in this case. In some cases, you can turn them counterclockwise to remove them while in others the screws may be underneath the sink covering them up. Once you can remove the stopper, use some soap on an old toothbrush and simply wipe off any gunky build-up you can see. And just reinstall it and you’ll be good to go.
Step 4: Use a Drain Snake for Tough Clogs
If there is still an odor after using baking soda and vinegar, this likely means a bigger blockage further down the pipes is the problem. You can use a drain snake (this is also known as the plumber’s snake) to sort this situation out. This handy tool enables you to go further into the drain and pull out any hair, soaps, or debris that is causing the blockage. Start by putting in the pipe to the drain, then twist and turn it around a bit, and only then, slowly, take it out. After unblocking it, the drain should be washed off again with hot water in order to dissolve the leftover deposits.