Home Remedies for Banishing Plumbing Odors
No homeowner expects their plumbing fixtures to smell like roses, but you definitely don't want your garbage disposal or bathtub to produce a noticeable, unpleasant smell either. Here's what you need to know about plumbing odors - and how to fix them - in your Aurora, CO, home:
The Bathroom
Between the toilet, the sink and the shower, your bathroom is full of pipes. Because this room is a high-traffic area, it's normal for odors to arise. Noticing a smell coming from your bathtub or faucet drain? Don't panic, it's probably just the buildup of soap, shampoo and hair from daily use. An easy way to safely clean out your drains is by pouring one cup of dry baking soda and two cups of distilled vinegar down the hole. The combination of ingredients should produce a fizz. Complete the process by pouring two cups of boiling water down the drain to flush it out. You may have to repeat this remedy, depending on how strong the scent is.
Toilet smells tend to linger, no matter how often you clean the bathroom. That's why it's important to use the right kind of cleaner - a strong disinfectant with bleach. Look for a product that comes with a handy nozzle to help get to all those hard-to-reach areas. If the problem still persists, consider other remedies to mask the scent, like adding essential oils to your toilet water, an air freshener or a candle.
The Kitchen
In a space where food is stored and prepared, you may experience a variety of aromas on a daily basis. However, there are certain scents no one wants lingering. Have you ever opened up your refrigerator to an unidentifiable smell? First, start by cleaning the entire thing including scrubbing all surfaces and drawers, and tossing out any rotten or expired food. If the smell persists, add an open box of baking soda to soak up the bad scents. Moving forward, be sure to label all food, perform regular cleaning and use air-tight containers to contain food smells. The same goes for your garbage disposal. Make sure you aren't putting materials down there that don't belong, like fibrous foods, grease, fats and oils and any bones.
If your plumbing odors remain, it could be a sign there's a bigger issue at hand. If so, call a Roto-Rooter plumber to come out to take a look.