_de-de_3_1-2.jpg)
How to clean a drain
Key points at a glance:
- Understanding the causes: Hair, soap scum, and a dried-out trap are among the most common causes of clogged or smelly drains.
- Effective and eco-friendly cleaning: Household remedies like hot water, baking soda, and vinegar or citric acid gently and reliably remove buildup.
- Prevention is key: Regular cleaning, removing hair, and using drain screens help prevent clogs and keep drains clear.
Common causes of clogs and odors
Essentially, there are three main causes of clogs and the resulting foul-smelling drains:
1. Hair and skin particles
When showering, washing your hands, or taking care of your skin and face, individual hairs and skin particles naturally come loose. These can clump together and cause the sink or shower drain to clog.
2. Soap, shampoo, and more
Soap, shampoo, and lotions can also cause buildup, which hinders proper drainage and, over time, leads to unpleasant odors.
3. Dried-out siphon
If drains are rarely used, the water seal that normally forms inside them breaks down. This makes it easier for unpleasant odors from the sewer system to travel up through the pipes.
Effective home remedies
There are several effective home remedies you can use to clean your sink or shower drain. In addition to being easy and eco-friendly to use, another advantage is that they work for all types of drains:
Rinse with hot water
Light soiling can often be removed simply by rinsing thoroughly with hot water. This is usually sufficient to eliminate unpleasant odors, especially in the case of a dried-out trap, as it restores the water seal.
Clean a drain with baking soda and vinegar
If you want to clean the drain with baking soda, pour a few tablespoons into the drain and then rinse it with about half a cup of vinegar or vinegar essence.
If you don't have baking soda at home, you can use baking powder instead to clean the drain. The mixture should start to fizz. After about 15 minutes, you can rinse it out again with hot water.
Washing soda and citric acid
Washing soda and citric acid work on the same principle as vinegar and baking soda. However, the soaking time is a bit longer—about an hour.
Coke
If the clogs aren't too stubborn, regular cola can also help. It can break down organic matter and clear the sink and shower drain.
By the way: Vinegar and citric acid are also great for descaling faucets.
Tips for physical cleaning
Pouring a cleaning solution down the drain isn't always enough. In such cases, you can clean the drain using physical tools. Here are some options:
Drain snake
A drain snake can be particularly helpful when hair clogs the drain in the shower or sink. The coil, attached to a wire, is inserted into the drain until it hits the blockage. By twisting the wire, the debris is pulled out; afterward, you should rinse the now-clear drain with water.
Plunger
You can also use a plunger or a drain cleaner to clear clogs in sink and shower drains. To do this, place it over the drain and then run water until the rubber part of the plunger is covered. Next, use pumping motions to create alternating positive and negative pressure in the pipe. This will dislodge the clogs in the drain. Coarse debris that has been flushed upward can then be removed by hand. If the water still does not drain freely, repeat the process.
Clean the siphon manually
This step is recommended if the sink is clogged and other methods have not yet provided the desired solution. If your trap is easily accessible, you can remove it and clean it by hand. Be sure to place a bucket under the sink to catch the water draining out. You can then clean the removed part of the trap using a wire brush.
Prevention
The best way to prevent stubborn clogs and unpleasant odors is to clean your drains regularly. For example, especially with a walk-in shower, you should clean the drain before any problems arise, as debris can build up very easily in the shower channels. It’s best to remove hair and soap residue immediately after each shower and then rinse with hot water. If possible, depending on the drain, we also recommend using strainers to catch larger debris before it reaches the drain.
By the way: Chemical cleaners should never be used as a preventive measure and should really only be used in exceptional cases, as otherwise they can damage the pipes.
