How to Clean a Sink Drain and Stop the Smell

To clean a sink drain, remove any visible hair or food debris, flush with hot water, then use bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar to loosen residue inside the pipe. Finish with another hot water flush. Repeating this every few weeks helps keep most kitchen and bathroom drains fresh.

Kitchen and bathroom sinks collect different types of dirt. In the bathroom it’s usually hair, toothpaste and soap residue. In the kitchen it’s grease, food scraps and coffee grounds. Over time these build up inside the pipe, slowing the water and creating the unpleasant smell many people notice when they stand over the sink.

What You’ll Need

– An old toothbrush or small stiff-bristled brush
– Rubber gloves
– Bicarbonate of soda
– White vinegar
– A kettle of hot water
– A bent wire coat hanger or plastic drain snake
– Washing-up liquid
– A microfibre cloth
– Kitchen roll or an old towel

How To Clean A Sink Drain Step By Step

1. Remove the plug, stopper or strainer. Clean it thoroughly with washing-up liquid and a toothbrush, paying attention to the
underside where residue collects.

2. Remove visible debris. Wearing gloves, pull out any hair, soap residue or food scraps from the top of the drain. In many cases this removes most of the smell because the worst build-up sits close to the surface.

3. Clear deeper blockages. Use a bent coat hanger or drain snake to hook out anything further down the pipe.

4. Flush with hot water. Pour a kettle of hot water down the drain in stages. If you have plastic pipework, allow the water to cool
slightly first.

5. Add bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. Pour in four tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda followed by about half a cup of white vinegar. Leave for 10 minutes.

6. Flush again. Pour another kettle of hot water down the drain, then run the cold tap for a few seconds.

7. Replace the plug. Dry and refit the plug or strainer and wipe around the plughole.

How Do You Clean A Smelly Sink Drain That Keeps Coming Back?

If the smell returns within days, the U-bend is often the real culprit. Place a bucket underneath, remove the trap, rinse away the sludge, reassemble it and check for leaks.

How Often Should You Clean A Sink Drain?

Flush kitchen drains with hot water regularly, especially after washing greasy pans. Use the bicarbonate and vinegar treatment every two weeks for kitchen sinks and about once a month for bathroom basins.

Mistakes To Avoid

• Never mix bleach with other cleaning products.
• Don’t rely solely on caustic drain cleaners.
• Don’t ignore a slow-draining sink.
• Never pour cooking fat down the drain.

If your bathroom drain problems are less about smell and more about slow drainage in the shower, our guide to cleaning a shower drain explains the process.

When A Smelly Sink Drain Needs A Plumber

If regular cleaning doesn’t solve the problem, the issue may be a damaged trap, a blocked waste pipe, poor ventilation or a problem further along the drainage system. If smells persist after cleaning the drain and U-bend, it’s time for a closer inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does My Sink Drain Smell Even After Cleaning?

The smell is often coming from the U-bend rather than the visible drain. Cleaning the trap usually solves the problem.

Is Bicarbonate Of Soda And Vinegar Enough To Clear A Blocked Drain?

It’s effective for routine maintenance and light build-up. Severe blockages usually need a plunger or drain snake.

Can I Put Bleach Down A Sink Drain?

Bleach should never be mixed with vinegar or other cleaning chemicals. For routine maintenance, bicarbonate of soda and vinegar is usually sufficient.

How Do I Stop My Kitchen Sink Drain From Smelling?

Use a sink strainer, avoid pouring fat down the drain and flush with hot water regularly.

Why Is There Black Gunk In My Sink Drain?

It’s biofilm made up of soap residue, grease, hair and bacteria that builds up over time.

Regular drain cleaning only takes a few minutes, but keeping on top of it helps prevent unpleasant smells and stubborn blockages. If you’re looking for help with the rest of your household cleaning, use our postcode search to find your local Diamond Home Support office.