Buzz
If the drainage pipe of a sink becomes clogged, it emits an unpleasant smell and loses its cleanliness. To keep the pipe odor-free and bacteria-free, regular cleaning is necessary. Cleaning the drain pipe is more challenging than cleaning the sink itself, as a regular sponge is often difficult to reach this area. However, you can clean the sink's drain pipe or the garbage disposal pipe using natural ingredients such as lemon and vinegar.
Steps
Use Lemon and Baking Soda
Remove the Drain Pipe Cover. You need to remove all covers on the mouth of the drain pipe. If you have a sink with a pop-up type drain cover (push and release), twist the cover counterclockwise to remove it. Clean out any leftover food or hair near the pipe opening and remove everything from the sink before starting the cleaning process.
Use a drain cleaning snake to clear the drainage pipe 3-5 times to push out any hair or debris, then flush with hot water.
Bridgett Price
Cleaning Services Expert & Co-owner, Maideasy
Cleaning Services Expert & Co-owner, Maideasy
Flush the Drain Pipe with Boiling Water. Boil a kettle of water and pour it into the drain pipe before beginning the cleaning process. This flushing action will wash away any small particles that have accumulated in the pipe.
Pour ½ cup (110g) of Baking Soda into the Drain Pipe. Measure half a cup (about 110g) of baking soda and slowly pour it into the drain pipe.
Bridgett Price
Cleaning Services Expert & Co-owner, Maideasy
Cleaning Services Expert & Co-owner, Maideasy
Alternatively, you can use a pleasant-smelling citrus pipe cleaner solution. I prefer flushing the drain with hot water, followed by pouring the citrus-scented pipe cleaner into the sink while it's still warm. This will fully clean the drain, and a refreshing fragrance will spread throughout the room. Later, when you turn on the faucet to wash your hands, the scent will be activated and fill the room with a delightful aroma.
Pour ½ cup (120 ml) of white vinegar into the drain pipe. Pouring vinegar onto the baking soda will create a chemical reaction that helps clean and disinfect the drain. As you pour in the vinegar, the baking soda will begin to fizz up.
Let the mixture react in the drain pipe for about 10 minutes. Leave the mixture in the drain for approximately 10 minutes to allow it to break down any accumulated debris.
Flush the sink with boiling water again. Boil another kettle of water and pour it down the sink to wash away any remaining baking soda and vinegar. If you still smell vinegar in the sink, you can flush it again with another kettle of water.
Cleaning the Drain Pipe of a Garbage Disposal
Slice the lemon into thin rounds. You'll cut one lemon into several small slices that will fit perfectly into the compartments of the ice cube tray.
Place the lemon slices in the ice cube tray and pour vinegar over them. Fill the compartments in the tray with vinegar. The vinegar will help neutralize odors and disinfect the drain pipe of the garbage disposal, as well as clean the gaps in the sink.
Let the tray freeze. Place the tray with the ingredients inside the freezer overnight, allowing them to freeze into solid cubes.
Transfer the ice cubes into the garbage disposal. Remove the ice cubes from the tray and dump them into the drain of the disposal unit.
Turn on the disposal until the cubes are completely crushed. Run cold water over the ice and turn on the garbage disposal. The blades of the disposal will break down the cubes, and the lemon and vinegar will neutralize odors and clean the drain pipe. Once this process is finished, run cold water once more to flush out the drain.
- The cold water will harden the grease so that the blades of the disposal can break it down effectively.
Keep the drain pipe clean at all times
Avoid pouring grease, coffee grounds, and hair down the drain. A common cause of drain blockages is the disposal of inappropriate items. Avoid pouring leftover food, hair, coffee grounds, or grease down the drain to prevent clogging.
- If you want to dispose of leftover grease, you can collect it in a glass jar after cooking and throw it in the trash.
- If you're shaving at the sink, lay a paper towel or bag over the sink to catch the hair and prevent it from falling into the drain.
Flush the drain with boiling water after washing dishes. To deep clean the sink or sanitize after dishwashing, pour boiling water down the drain to prevent unpleasant odors from forming.
Use a drain screen or filter lid. Using a filter lid will prevent debris from going down the drain, which means you won’t need to clean the pipes as often. If you don’t have a drain lid, a mesh filter can serve as a substitute.
Regularly pour bleach down the drain. Once or twice a week, pour bleach down the drain and let it sit overnight. This will help prevent bacteria buildup and eliminate any odors. If you dislike the bleach smell, you can sprinkle some baking soda down the drain after washing the dishes to absorb the odors.
Items you'll need
- Kettle or pot for boiling water
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Lemon
- Ice cube tray
- Bleach
- Drain screen or filter lid (optional)
