The Clever Hack That Stops Drain Odor In Its Tracks

Ahh, satisfaction. The sink is free of dishes, the dishwasher is humming peacefully, and you can go relax on the couch. But wait, what's that smell coming out of the sink? If this scenario is all too familiar to you, you get it: There's nothing like a stinky drain to make your kitchen (or bathroom) feel dirty, no matter how much time you've just spent cleaning it. Thankfully, there's a simple, clever hack to stop drain odor in its tracks.

Before you test it out, though, you need to make sure that the odor isn't actually signaling a more serious plumbing issue. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing suggests that you look out for the following: a rotten egg smell, a sewer smell, several drains throughout the home that smell bad, or odor accompanied by water backup in the sink. If these situations apply to your home, you should call a plumber to evaluate the issue. Otherwise, read on for the easy hack to solve your stinky sink woes.

While there are more than a few reasons that your sink stinks, the supplies you need to tackle it can all be found in your pantry. Grab the baking soda and vinegar, and boil a pot of water. Baking soda and vinegar are a dynamic cleaning duo that can be used just about anywhere in the house, even in the laundry.

For tackling sink odor, Better Homes & Gardens says to combine one cup of baking soda with two cups of white vinegar. If you remember from the volcano experiments in elementary school, the solution will fizz up quickly, so watch out! Pour the mixture down the sink, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing suggests that you plug the drain after you've applied the vinegar-baking soda combo. Next, pour a pot of boiling water down the sink and — voilà! — the odor should be gone.

It's important to note that this isn't a one-and-done fix. Get in the habit of cleaning your drains regularly to stay on top of your sink before it starts stinking.