How to clean smelly drains naturally?
Have you ever wondered why your sink or bathtub gets clogged? Or maybe you’ve had a leaky faucet for years and never knew where it was coming from. If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on expensive plumbing repairs, then you might want to consider replacing your old pipes.
A drain is basically a pipe that carries waste water away from your home. Your toilet, kitchen sink, bathroom sink, dishwasher and washing machine all have their own drainage system.
Your drain system consists of several parts. The main part is called the trap. This is where the waste water enters the pipe. The next part is called the vent. This is where the water leaves the house. Finally, the last part is called the outlet. This is where the clean water comes out.
Drain cleaning has become a big part of our lives. Whether it’s a sink or bathtub drain, clogged drains can cause a variety of problems. The good news is, they don’t require professional plumbing services. In fact, you can clean them yourself with simple household items.
Drain cleaners come in two forms: chemical and mechanical. Chemical drain cleaners dissolve solid matter, such as hair, soap scum, grease, food particles, etc., whereas mechanical drain cleaners cut through blockages. Both types of cleaners are effective at removing debris from pipes.
If you want to clean your drain, here are some DIY methods that will get rid of the problem without causing damage.
How To Clean Smelly Drains Naturally?
1. Use Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most common household products used to clean drains. It works by dissolving gunk and other substances that build up inside your pipes.
To use vinegar, pour 1 cup into the drain and let stand for 30 minutes. Then flush with hot water. Repeat once more if necessary.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is another great way to clean drains. Simply pour 2 cups of baking soda down your drain, add boiling water and wait 10 minutes. Flush with warm water.
3. Citrus Peels
Citrus peels work well to remove odors from drains. Cut off the ends of citrus fruits (orange, lemon) and place the peel directly into the drain. Let sit overnight before flushing with cold water.
4. Salt Water
Saltwater is an excellent solution for cleaning drains. Pour 3 cups salt into the drain and fill with hot water. Wait 15 minutes, then flush with cold water.

5. Wood Chips
Wood chips are also very useful when it comes to cleaning drains. Place wood chips in the bottom of the drain and cover with hot water. Allow the wood chips to soak for about 20 minutes. Remove the wood chips and replace with fresh water.
6. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are a natural deodorizer. They help eliminate bad smells from drains. Add coffee grounds to the drain and allow to sit overnight.
7. Borax
Borax is a mineral commonly found in laundry detergents. It helps break down fats and oils that build up in drains over time. Combine borax with water and pour down the drain.
8. Castile Soap
Castile soap is made from olive oil and lye. It’s safe to use around children and pets. Mix castile soap with water and pour down your drain.
9. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a powerful cleaner that gets rid of bacteria and germs. Squeeze half a lemon into the drain and leave for 24 hours.
10. Vinegar & Sugar
Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and sugar together in a bowl. Pour mixture down the drain and let sit overnight.
Why do my drains smell like sewage?
One of the main reasons why drains may smell like sewage is because of the buildup of waste materials. These include foods, liquids, and even human waste.
The best way to prevent this is by regularly cleaning your drains. However, if you find yourself dealing with a smelly drain, try these simple remedies to get rid of the odor.
Have you ever noticed a foul odor coming from your drains? Maybe you’ve even tried cleaning them out only to have them back up again. If you’re dealing with blocked drains or sewer smells, you might be wondering why they happen.
When a blockage occurs, waste matter builds up in the pipes. This causes a buildup of gases that eventually cause the water to smell. The problem usually gets worse over time until the drain becomes unusable.
There are several reasons why your drains may start smelling bad. Some of these include:
1. Sewage backup
If there’s sewage backing up through your home, it will most likely end up in your drains. When this happens, the waste material can clog the drain system and cause a nasty smell.
2. Food waste
Food waste is one of the biggest culprits behind unpleasant smells in your drains. As food decomposes, it releases gas which makes the stench unbearable.
3. Pets
Pets such as dogs and cats can cause a lot of damage to your plumbing system. Their urine and feces can cause serious problems within your pipes.
4. Mold
Mold spores are everywhere and can easily grow in any area where moisture is present. In fact, mold thrives on dead organic matter. That means it loves you drains!
5. Gas leaks
Gas leaks can occur anywhere in your house. From appliances to gas lines, anything that produces gas can create an unpleasant smell.
6. Clogged toilets
Clogged toilets can cause a variety of issues including sewage backups. When this happens, waste begins to collect in the toilet causing a terrible smell.
7. Dirty traps
Dirty traps are another common reason for sewer smells. Traps are designed to catch solid waste before it reaches the sewer line. Over time, the trap can become dirty and stop working properly.
8. Leaking faucet
Leaky faucets can also lead to a foul smell. Water leaking from the faucet can travel through the pipe and then mix with other odors.
9. Bad drains
Bad drains can cause all sorts of problems. They can leak, break, develop cracks, and more. It’s important to check your drains periodically so you don’t run into any problems.
10. Drain cleaners
Some people use drain cleaner to unclog their drains. While some products work well, others contain chemicals that could potentially harm your pipes.
Does vinegar damage drain pipes?
Vinegar does not damage drain pipes. In fact, it can be beneficial to your plumbing system. If you have a clogged or damaged pipe, pouring vinegar down the drain could dislodge the obstruction. This is especially true if the pipe has been blocked for some time.
Drain pipes are essential plumbing fixtures. They are part of our sewer system and they play a major role in keeping our homes clean and safe. In case of clogs, they provide us with relief from the unpleasant odor.

Drain pipes are also known as sewers or storm drains. These pipes transport sewage and other waste water from our houses and businesses into the city drainage system.
While these pipes are designed to handle large volumes of liquid, they can get damaged over time. This leads to blockages and backups that cause odors and health hazards.
How long do you leave baking soda and vinegar in drain?
When you clean out your drains, do you put baking soda or vinegar down there? Or maybe even both at once? What happens if you don’t?
You should never leave baking soda or vinegar in your drain for longer than 24 hours. The reason being that they will start reacting with each other and cause a chemical reaction. This could result in the formation of harmful gases.
The common belief is that putting baking soda down the kitchen sink will prevent clogs. This is false. Baking soda cannot dissolve grease because it does not contain enzymes. If you want to remove clogs from your pipes, you should use a commercial pipe cleaner instead. Vinegar can also be effective.
Baking soda and vinegar are great for cleaning drains, but they won’t fix clogs. If you notice water backing up into your home, then you need to call a professional plumber immediately.
What happens if I put baking soda in the toilet tank?
If you put too much baking soda in the toilet, you may end up flooding the bathroom. This is because the excess baking soda creates a gas bubble which pushes out all the air in the tank. As a result, the toilet fills rapidly.
Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean drains?
Hydrogen Peroxide is a great disinfectant but it cannot be used to clean drains. Hydrogen Peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent that reacts with metals. This means that it can corrode metal parts such as copper and brass.
Conclusion
There are many ways to clean drains. However, using bleach or harsh chemicals is not recommended. There are plenty of natural alternatives available that are just as effective.