At SOS Drain & Sewer we understand that walking into a smelly kitchen is unappetizing, to say the least. Who wants their savory cooking smells to have to compete with noxious drain smells? In most cases kitchen sink drain odors are quickly subdued using accessible household items for a quick fix. Even if your drains are not assaulting your nose now, these practices prevent future drain problems when regularly applied.
- If you have a garbage disposal, run cold water down the drain both before and after disposing of food. Flushing the pipes will prevent food from collecting in the chamber or the trap below it.
- Clean your disposal by running ice cubes made of a 1:1 solution of water to vinegar. Be sure to label your vinegar ice-cube tray or someone may get an unwanted surprise when they cool down their drink!
- Occasionally pouring boiling water, carefully down your drains, will help to remove greasy and fatty residues clinging to the insides of the pipes. This goo, if left in place, can cause odors and trap other debris creating a clog.
- If a clog develops despite your best efforts to prevent it, try this old trick: place 1/4 cup of baking soda in the drain; follow with 1/2 cup of vinegar; when the solution stops foaming pour in 2 quarts of boiling water and let the drain sit unused for several hours. This works well for minor clogs.
- When you have PVC drain pipes, the trap is easily removed for cleaning and just as easily replaced.
- Use a drain strainer in your sink especially if you do not have a garbage disposal attached. After washing dishes or preparing food in the sink, let the water run briefly in order to wash away the food particles that may escape the strainer.
Call SOS Drain & Sewer for friendly expert help if these tips do not resolve your kitchen sink drain issues. There could be a more significant problem that will only get worse if you ignore it.
