There’s nothing quite like walking into your kitchen or bathroom, only to be hit with the unpleasant waft of smelly drains. It’s not just gross, it can make your whole home feel dirty, even if you just cleaned it!
The good news? In many cases, the solution isn’t complicated or expensive. With a few household ingredients and some clever methods, you can often banish the bad smell without even calling a plumber.
Let’s break down what’s causing that stink in the first place, and then explore how to get rid of smelly drains using safe, simple DIY steps that actually work.
Why do drains smell so bad?
A smelly drain can come from several sources, and while none of them are especially pleasant, some are more common than others. Often, it’s a mix of:
- Food particles
- Soap scum
- Grease
- Or hair that’s clinging to the inside of your pipes.
Over time, this organic material starts to rot – and the odour rises straight up through your sink, shower, or floor drain … straight into your nostrils!
You might notice smells like:
- Rotten eggs or sulphur (often caused by bacteria)
- Musty, damp odours (linked to mould or mildew)
- Sewage or methane-like smells (which can suggest deeper plumbing issues)
In kitchens, it’s often a mix of grease and food scraps. In bathrooms, soap build-up and hair are more likely culprits. If your smelly sink drain is ruining your mood every time you walk in, don’t stress, we’ve got a few solid options to freshen things up:
7 DIY ways to clean smelly drains
Before we start – the following methods are for odour only. If your sink is slow to drain or you suspect a full or partial blockage, you’ll need a different solution or help from a Brisbane blocked drain plumber.
1. Flush with boiling water
Sometimes, all it takes to clean smelly drains is a good flush.
- Boil a full kettle of water
- Pour it slowly down the drain in stages.
This helps melt away gunk clinging to pipe walls, especially greasy residue in kitchen drains. Always use caution with boiling water if your pipes are PVC.
2. White vinegar & bicarb combo
The classic fizzing combo of bicarb (baking soda) and vinegar is a brilliant solution for how to clean smelly drains, especially in kitchens.
- Pour half a cup of bicarb into the drain.
- Follow with one cup of white vinegar.
- Let it fizz for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse with hot water to clear it all out.
This combo neutralises smells and kills some of the odour-causing bacteria, too.
3. Lemon juice for a fresh scent
Want your drain to smell less like a science experiment and more like a citrus grove? Try lemon juice. It’s mildly acidic and great for cutting odours.
- Squeeze the juice of one or two lemons into the drain.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Rinse with hot water.
You can also toss in lemon peel pieces for an extra boost, just make sure your garbage disposal (if you have one) can handle it.
4. Salt & hot water scrub
Salt works as a mild abrasive and deodoriser. If you’re wondering how to clean a smelly drain with something cheap and easy, salt’s a definite winner.
- Pour half a cup of coarse salt down the drain.
- Follow with boiling water.
- Let it sit, then rinse with tap water.
It’s a great trick for cleaning smelly drains in bathrooms where soap scum and hair can trap moisture and bacteria.
5. Enzyme cleaners (No bleach)
If you prefer a more hands-off method, head to the hardware store and grab an enzyme-based drain cleaner (look for one without bleach). These products eat away at organic matter that’s causing the smell.
Follow the instructions carefully, especially on timing and rinsing. This option works especially well if you’re not sure how to clean drain smell safely in delicate or older plumbing.
6. Ice cubes & salt (For kitchen disposals)
If you’re one of the few people still with garbage disposal units in the kitchen and it smells funky, this one’s for you.
- Drop a handful of ice cubes and coarse salt into the drain.
- Turn on the disposal and let it crunch away.
- Follow with a rinse of warm water.
This helps scrape off residue and freshen things up.
7. Keep it dry between uses
Moisture = odour. After cleaning, try to dry your sink or shower drain when not in use.
- Pop the plug in
- Wipe around the edges
- Avoid leaving soggy sponges nearby.
This simple habit can go a long way in how to fix smelly drains long-term.
But wait – It’s probably not just the smell!
Here’s the thing – if you regularly clean smelly drains, but the smell keeps coming back, it’s time to realise that the problem probably isn’t just stench.
In many cases, persistent smells point to a partial blockage lurking deeper in the pipes. These blockages can trap gunk that bacteria thrive on, meaning your drain may work fine now, but it’s slowly clogging up. That’s why people often wonder how to get rid of drain smell when the real fix is unblocking the drain that’s causing it in the first place.
Smells can also come from:
- Dried-out P-traps (especially in unused guest bathrooms)
- Ventilation issues causing gases to back up
- Leaky or damaged pipe seals.
If your DIY efforts aren’t cutting it, it’s time to get a plumber involved. Here at S&J Plumbing and Gasfitting, we’re experts in both how to clean smelly drains whilst solving the deeper issues that cause them.
Tired of that smelly drain? Call S&J Plumbing & Gasfitting
If the smell keeps returning, or you’re just ready for a professional fix straight away, our local Brisbane plumbing team is always here to help. At S&J Plumbing and Gasfitting, we:
- Investigate hidden blockages and causes of persistent smells
- Provide expert advice on how to get rid of smelly drains for good
- Use safe, effective drain tools to clean, clear and protect your plumbing
- Offer fast, friendly service with clear, upfront pricing
So, don’t just mask the smell, fix the problem at the source. Give us a shout right here at S&J Plumbing and Gasfitting today for trusted help with smelly drains, general plumbing, hot water, and gasfitting services all across Brisbane and beyond.