Stinky sink

morganlefay · 20 October 2006 at 12:21PM

I'm sorry if I've missed this on any other thread but can anyone tell me what would be good for my cream coloured small sink with waste disposer in it. It always smells nasty and so far the best 'cure' is to put lemon skins down it, tho that doesn't last for long. It's really smelly always, tho I run water through it always for a nice long (wasteful) time before stopping the guzzler. It seems to be the sinky bit itself under the rubber flap things, not food etc left in it, and it smells of old unwashed washing up cloths. My OH used to put dishwasher liquid down it but we don't use that any more and I was always afraid it was ruining the surface of the sink. I have tried boiling water, bleach, and all 'usual' kitchen cleaners, can anyone help ? (If possible as economically as possible, of course)

comping_cat · 20 October 2006 at 12:44PM

Not sure if this will help, but i often pour a little vinegar down the plug hole, then a few tablespoons of bicarb of soda, and then a little more vinegar. It will froth up and help clear any blockages and neutralise smells. I leave it for about an hour, then run a kettle full of boiling water down to get rid of the vinegar/bicarb mixture.
HTH

mikeywills · 20 October 2006 at 12:59PM

For a good blitz of the the wastedisposer, you are definately on the right tracks. Lemons and orange are good for cleaning it, the left overs from preparation of other items are fine, but when you put a lemon down also include a good couple of handfuls of ice, this won't damage your disposer but will get rid of the gunk that builds up.
We always dispose of out lemons in this order used for cooking, then placed in a bowl of water in the microwave and cooked for a couple of minutes, to freshen that up to, then down the disposer with some ice. Three jobs for the price of one.
You also only need to leave the tap running for approx 15 seconds after you have finished using the disposer, assuming of cause that you have a continuous feed not a batch feed model.

jojo3_2 · 20 October 2006 at 8:10PM

Try heaping up some soda crstals in the sink, adding a bit of vinegar and then pouring boiling water over it. Usually works for my smelly sink!

Quasar · 20 October 2006 at 10:20PM

Also, use a plunger as its sucking action will dislodge some gunge and flush it away. I do that every now and then, and after I put two tablespoons of soda crystals on the drain and pour boiling water down.

Then I finish off with a few drops of zoflora to scent the whole thing and kill the bacteria that produce foul smells.

dannahaz · 21 October 2006 at 10:22AM

Sounds like you've got some gunk that needs shifting. Once it's shifted then the tips on lemons etc should keep it fresh.

I use caustic soda. Very nasty stuff, you HAVE to wear gloves, not because some Health & Safety expert has decided there is a minor risk, but because this stuff ic caustic. As long as yu follow the instructions, you'll be fine.

It is brilliant. I use it on my sink and in my shower whenevr there is a blockage and it cleans it in minutes, all the way through the pipes.

djdymond · 24 August 2007 at 9:41AM

Morning everyone

The last 2 times ive done the washing up, not only have i noticed the sinks rather stained around the plughole (very attractive) but theres an awful smell coming from the sink. my other half normally does the washing up so god knows how long its been like that. he says its probably food in the pipes or something. so how can i get rid of it cheaply?

i have some cilit bang toilet and drain but thats for unblocking hair surely? its not blocked, water does go down, its just the smell!!! i also have flash spray with bleach which i used on the brownish plug hole and it got rid of some of the stains but not all.

I would use my faithful stardrops but think it needs something alot stronger! im going shopping sometime this weekend and dont want to buy the first thing i see thats pricey that might be no good!

any ideas would be appriciated!

Thanks! xxx

annie-c · 24 August 2007 at 9:54AM

Put 2 dessert spoons of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) down rhe plughole and pour over a small cup of vinegar. Leave to fizz away and then run cold water down it.

If this doesn't work then buy a bag of soda crystals (about 60p and near the washing products in a supermarket) and tip half of it it down the sink followed by a kettlle of hot water

For future maintenance try getting a sink plughole mesh cover £1.50 ish in any kitchen shop) to catch bits instead of letting them go down.

And do the bicarb/vinegar routine once a week.

No need for expensive products - they will only damage the environment and won't be any more effective than the above.

Hope you get it sorted!!

Annie xx

love_lifer · 24 August 2007 at 9:54AM

it's strong stuff but caustic soda used very carefully sorts this kind of problem out.

annie-c · 24 August 2007 at 10:03AM

Agree with lovelifer that caustic soda *can* sort this out, but please be very carefull; - it is a very strong alkaline substance that can cause burns and scarring and if (inadvertently) mixed with other chemicals can create nasty fumes.

To be honest, it's not a fantastic idea to pour vast quantitities of any chemicals down your drain, as they all end up in the rivers at some point. But in order of gentleness (to you and the environment) then I'd recommend bicarb/vinegar first, then soda crystals, then if absolutely necessary something stronger. But make sure you wear gloves and read the hazard information on the packets, whatever you do xx

annie-c · 24 August 2007 at 10:13AM

PS I'd also enrol your OH on a course of washing up lessons.... and get a little worktop bin maybe for him/her to scrape bits into while washing up, instead of poking them down the plughole!!!

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Stinky sink

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