How to Get Rid of Smelly Drains in the Bathroom and Kitchen

Whether it's in your kitchen or your bathroom, there's no reason to put up with drain smells. Sometimes a few simple methods and a willingness to be consistent are enough to get rid of smelly drains forever. So, whether you’ve got smelly drains in the bathroom, kitchen, or somewhere else, here's a few different methods to tackle the problem once and for all. 

Domestos Thick Bleach is a strong and powerful cleaner that eradicates bacteria in drains, toilets, and on surfaces. Use it to tackle pongy plugholes in your home.

What Causes Smelly Drains?

Before you can tackle the problem, you need to know what caused it. Here are the most common culprits:

• Drains that are clogged up with hair, food, and other debris are the perfect breeding ground for odour-causing bacteria.

• Sewer smells can rise up through the drains if there is a bigger blockage or problem underground.

• If your pipes are completely blocked then water can start to pool at the bottom and this will smell after a while.

• A build-up of mould or mildew in the pipes can also release bad odours.

How to Tackle Smelly Drains ... Cleaning Drains

Having clean drains is an important starting point when it comes to eradicating smelly drains. Here’s how to clean your drains:

1. Plug the sink.

2. Fill it with hot water.

3. Add half a cup of Domestos Thick Bleach.

4. Once the water is cold enough, unplug the sink and let the solution pour down the drain. Make sure you wear gloves!

5. The bleach should kill the bacteria and help to clean out your drains to improve the smell. 

Don't Have Bleach in Hand? Learn How to Clean Drains with Baking Soda Instead:

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and baking soda in a medium-sized jug.

2. Wait for it to fizz.

3. Pour your mixture down the drain.

4. Then pour hot water down the drain straight afterwards.

5. Let it sit for at least an hour then run the cold tap for a little while.  

Safety Warning

If you have bleach in the house be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets so they don’t accidentally consume it.

How to Eradicate Smelly Drains by ... ‘Snaking’ Your Drain

Tried bleach and baking soda but still have a smelly bathroom drain or kitchen drain? Try cleaning out the odour-producing nasties with a snake tool:

1. Buy a drain snake from your local DIY store. Can't find one? Twist an old coat hanger out of shape and use instead but go gently to avoid damage.

2. Insert your snake into the drain and twist to help remove blockages and debris that could be the source of your bad odours.

3. Always follow the instructions on the packet for shop-bought options and run water through your drain afterwards to flush out any loose materials you may have dislodged.

Whether it’s the kitchen sink or the shower drain, bad smells don’t have to be tolerated. Try one of these methods to eradicate the underlying cause of smelly drains and give your pipes a thorough clean.

Key Steps to Get Rid of Smelly Drains:

To get rid of smelly drains in the kitchen and bathroom follow these key steps: 

1. Work out which drains are affected.

2. Determine the source of the smell; this can be contamination, blocked pipes, or sewer issues.

3. Try our article for help unblocking drains.

4. Use effective germ-removers, like Domestos Thick Bleach, to get drains clean again.