The classic way to handle this problem is with vinegar or lemon juice. A slightly alkaline powder, it can dissolve mineral deposits and organic materials such as grease, which is slightly acidic i… You should also wear protective equipment when using it for drain unblocking. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 39,592 times. Dilute 3 … Pouring 1 cup (250 ml) of lemon juice into the drain should caustic soda uses be enough to … ... You may hear a fizzing sound from the baking soda … The P-trap is usually visible underneath sinks. They’re easy parts to forget, but a lot of smelly debris and bacteria ends up on them. Bleach & Caustic Soda We use bleach quite frequently but in small quantities as a disinfectant and steriliser. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. To keep the drain clean, try to repeat this process at least once a month so bad odors don't build up. Run hot tap water down the drain for a minute. https://www.hunker.com/12001550/how-to-clean-a-drain-with-lye Dump 1 cup of baking soda down the drain and … Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. However, to the extent vinegar and baking soda has worked for drains specifically (and it has helped for me), it is only if you stopper the drain so that the physical (not chemical) force of the … A clogged shower drain is a nuisance, especially if it happens frequently. For particularly nasty odors, you may need to do another flush. Take a look at the connecting pipes as well. It does help to keep grey water drains, the pipes from the sinks and bath, from developing … Boiling water can damage PVC pipes. Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is an extremely strong chemical that will dissolve most blockages clogging up your sink. For greater effect, especially if you haven’t cleaned the drain in a while, leave the baking soda mixture in the drain as long as overnight. After you're finished, your drain will be running smoothly and will smell … Scour the stinky sink drain with baking soda and vinegar. Subsequently, keep in mind to never drain caustic soda right in to the toilet since the soda’s crystals have a tendency of solidifying inside the toilet and its pipes leading to a much bigger … Last Updated: September 27, 2020 Caustic soda is hygroscopic meaning it absorbs any water from the air, for this reason it must be … Repeat the treatment with more of the baking soda and vinegar mixture. Pour the baking soda, then vinegar on top; it will bubble up. Using the same bucket, flush the drain with four litres of boiled water. It washes away oil or food particles in your kitchen sink, for example, before they settle on the drain pipe. Always check drain plugs, stoppers, or covers. Mix baking soda and hot water together until it creates a paste. Alternatively, pour 2 cups of white vinegar or lemon juice down the drain. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Schedule regular service checks. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. This article has been viewed 39,592 times. Your email address will not be published. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Clean out your waste and recycling bins at home with a regular soda crystals solution. Using baking soda or lemon juice is also an option for neutralizing the remaining odor. Add baking soda. For the best results, heat the vinegar or lemon juice on the stove or in the microwave first. I just eyeball it and pack it in as much as possible. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you are unable to get one, try using a straightened wire hanger. The abrasive nature of the salt, mixed with the cleaning power of the baking soda, can effectively remove the odor from your drain. Get rid of a smelly sink drain with baking soda. Whichever cleaner you use, give it at least 10 minutes to work. Flush a drain right after using it. Using Caustic Soda Caustic Soda, (Sodium Hydroxide) is also very effective for unblocking sinks and plug holes. The most common clogs in kitchen drains are from fat, oil, and grease. Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Your edit said 11.5 uk gallons this I find very depressing as that equals 6 or 8 builders buckets; I put more than that down a month ago, a lot more, Like 40 gallons with a stop in main drain … Office: 01372 277248Mobile: 07887 648800callout@lgrplumbing.co.uk, Proudly Serving Customers Throughout Epsom, Sutton, Banstead and Surrounding Areas. Create your own drain stick out of a wire hanger. Try to treat the drain through another method or call a plumber to fix it. Baking soda neutralizes odors, but it doesn’t break up clogs. Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a naturally-occurring mineral compound. That same foaming action can clean stinky drains and eliminate the smell. “1 cup baking soda plus 2 cups vinegar. Required fields are marked *. #1. Odors emanating from the sink drain affect the atmosphere in the kitchen or bathroom in more ways than one. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016. Take precautions when using hot water. I use caustic soda for smelly drains. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Another option is to heat a pot of vinegar until it bubbles gently, then leave the drain plug in it for a few minutes. Buildup like hair and grease not only makes the plug smell, but it may turn into a smelly clog inside the drain pipe. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To use for blocked drains, dilute 750ml (three cups) of caustic soda in three litres of cold water in a bucket. Use a wooden spoon to mix together and you should see a bit of fizz as it combines. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Learn how to make your own homemade drain cleaner using this simple recipe. Catching a whiff of a stinky drain is unpleasant, but most drains can be cleaned without harsh chemicals. Let it sit a couple … Boiling water can harm PVC pipe joints, so avoid pouring boiling water down the drain unless you’re sure your pipes are metal. There are certain chemical based solutions to removing the debris in your blocked drains, which can include hair, food particles and heavy grease. Sometimes pipes crack and release noxious sewer gas. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. When ingested, this can lead to chemical burns, gastrointestinal ulceration and even death. By using our site, you agree to our. Clean drain plugs often, at least once a month, to prevent buildup. For more tips from our Cleaning co-author, including how to deodorize your garbage disposal, read on! Shop Roebic Laboratories, Inc. 2 lb. To clean a smelly drain, start by sprinkling half a cup of baking soda down it, which will help get rid of unpleasant debris and bacteria. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. When a toilet is installed, a wax ring is put in place underneath the toilet to … If the block persists, you can repeat the steps or call one of our plumbers for same day drain unblocking in Surrey. Baking soda can make a huge difference in the smell and the efficiency of your drains. Heat the vinegar or juice on the stove or in the microwave first to give it more cleansing power. Drain plugs are … Store-bought drain cleaners are expensive and caustic. If using the tap isn’t an option, heat a pot of water on the stove. Here’s how to clean a clogged or smelly shower drain, plus tips on preventing clogs from occurring. A smelly bathroom sink drain is a common problem, as odor, residue and bacteria accumulate regularly in the drain. Simply pour some boiling water down the sink; once it has all but drained away (albeit slowly), pour in a mug of Soda Crystals. Turn the water off. Re: Drain and Caustic soda; has soda set hard? Grains of coarse or kosher salt are much larger than grains of table salt, so they are more effective for clearing a drain. Caustic soda can be purchased at most hardware stores. If you clean out your drain and still detect an unpleasant smell, consider calling a plumber. Caustic soda, or to give it its chemical name, sodium hydroxide, is known as a corrosive  substance which works especially well on organic materials such as dirt, food and hair. Having a professional plumber check your pipes regularly … Then, treat your drain regularly to prevent foul odors and clogs from coming back. Augurs are longer than plastic sticks and more effective at breaking up solid clogs. Baking soda, lemon juice, and even commercial cleaners are great for deodorizing a drain before smells become noticeable. The walls of the sink drain can accumulate stubborn grease and grime with every use of the disposal. The P-trap will likely have water in it, so have a bucket or container nearby! When you have a clogged drain and you’re in need of a quick fix, it might be tempting to turn to a chemical drain cleaner. Pour baking soda down your drain about once a week, or if you’re going away and won’t be using your sink for a while. Avoid using hot water unless you’re certain your drain isn’t connected to any PVC components. Crystal drain opener contains 100% sodium hydroxide also known as caustic soda … Your email address will not be published. The substance can be dissolved in water which is one reason why it works so well on blocked drains. Next, pour about 2 or 3 cups of white vinegar down the drain on TOP of the baking soda… https://www.wideopeneats.com/8-hacks-to-rid-your-kitchen-of-funky-sink-odors/, https://www.thekitchn.com/10-ways-to-get-rid-of-that-awful-smell-in-your-kitchen-sink-223627, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5vpTaWTuqQ&feature=youtu.be&t=5, https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-clean-stinky-drains/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5vpTaWTuqQ&feature=youtu.be&t=20, https://www.bhg.com.au/how-to-get-rid-of-smelly-sink, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-snake-a-drain/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiuKTOkbF_o&feature=youtu.be&t=30, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiuKTOkbF_o&feature=youtu.be&t=104, https://moreventservices.com/how-to-make-homemade-drain-cleaner-to-fix-a-stinky-drain/, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. … A bubbling, baking soda-and-vinegar mix, washed down with very hot water. Then, use it to pull out hair and other material in the drain. To avoid the risk of burns when heating water for a drain, wear long clothing and oven mitts. The second thing that can be done is to pour ¼ cup of baking soda into the drain, and then pour ¼ cup of vinegar into the drain. Caustic soda is available as a powder or liquid for drain unblocking and can be found in most hardware stores. As a corrosive substance, direct contact can create a burning sensation as well as swelling in the eyes and skin, even vision impairment. After you take away the blockage from your sink, you could notice a pungent odor that refuses to go away. The cause of kitchen … Bottle brushes are available at some home improvement and general stores. Use a paper towel to wipe up debris and use an auger to break clogs. It takes just about five minutes, and you likely have all you need in your pantry: baking soda and white vinegar. For more tips from our Cleaning co-author, including how to deodorize your garbage disposal, read on! 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