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A clean and odor-free drain, especially a shower drain, is one of the factors that make the bathroom really fresh and hygienic. Soap scum, hair, grime, and other debris accumulate with time in shower drains and clog them and cause bad odors. Well, cleaning shower drain is quite an easy task to do with ordinary household items. Here, in this blog, we will tell some of the convenient and greatest preparations for cleaning shower drains and keeping those nasty odors at bay.
But before diving into methods of cleaning, it would be useful to know what could cause that shower drain odor in the first place. Among the many factors that contribute to smelly shower drains are:
Now that we know the sources, let’s check how to clear your shower drain and how to prevent any nauseous smells.
Begin by clearing away any visible debris from the shower drain, such as hair, soap scum, or anything that has washed its way into the drain. You can do this by employing your fingers covered with gloves to avoid touching something nasty, such as tweezers or a drain hair catcher tool. In the case of hair, a small drain cleaning brush or a hook-like tool can also be very effective for pulling hair strands out.
This process is fast and simple; this removes grease, soap scum, as well as organic material that may have amassed in your drain. Also, boiling Water can help dissolve some of the oils and fats that cause stenches. Just boil Water from a kettle and pour slowly down the drain in several pours. Let the Water sit for one minute between pours to help break down any scum buildup inside the pipe.
This mixture of vinegar and baking soda is a great non-toxic cleaning agent to eliminate odors and disintegrate the scum remaining inside the drain. Here is how you do it;
The combination of baking powder and vinegar will dissolve these clogs and neutralize odors by destroying bacteria and mold in the pipes.
If your drain is partially clogged and the Water is draining slowly, use a plunger to dislodge any debris stuck in the pipes. Make sure to cover the overflow drain (if your shower has one) with a wet cloth to create better suction. Place the plunger over the shower drain and pump it vigorously up and down several times. This will clear any minor blockages.
The drain trap, which is located beneath the drain, can sometimes accumulate debris that needs to be cleaned manually. You’ll need to unscrew the trap cover (use a wrench if required) and remove any hair or grime that’s collected inside. Once cleaned, reassemble the trap and run hot Water to ensure everything drains smoothly.
If the above remedies do not clear the clog or remove the stench from your drain, then you can consider using a chemical drain cleaner that is sold in stores. Always choose one that is gentle on your pipes, particularly if they are old. Chemical-based cleaners can be very abrasive and should only be used sparingly. Read the manufacturer’s instructions very carefully and use gloves when handling these products.
Cleaning your drain is half of the process. Maintenance and steps are crucial to ensure a fresh smell of your shower drain and prevent its clogging over time.
A hair catcher is a cheap tool that sits over your drain and catches hair before it gets down into the pipes. Prevention, in this case, of hair buildup will drastically reduce clogs and odors. Most home improvement or bathroom supply stores carry these.
Run hot Water through your drain once a week to prevent soap scum and oils from building up. Soap residue and other substances, too, cause smells because hot Water helps dissolve these remnants. This is an easy, low-effort maintenance that can keep your drain in good condition.
Drain freshening tablets can be found in most home goods stores and can be added to the drain to maintain freshness. These tablets contain enzymes that break down organic matter and prevent bacteria and odors from building up. Regular use of these tablets can keep your drain smelling clean.
Even if most of the times the drain does not clog, it is still better cleared at least once in a month. To achieve this, you can either use the vinegar-baking soda mix or flush boiling water into the drain for a clean, odor-free drain.
Do not ever pour cooking oils, grease, or fats down your shower drain. They become solidified and can obstruct your pipes, causing awful smells. Instead, throw them into a disposable container.
This shower drain not only smells unclean, but also indicates possible deeper plumbing problems. Simple cleaning measures and preventive methods on regular cleaning of the shower drain may treat unpleasant odor emanating from the shower drain.
You can use something more natural, like vinegar or baking soda, or even some commercial drain cleaners to treat the more difficult problems. But most importantly, keeping your maintenance happy will be a cornerstone to not getting hair, soap scum, and bacteria build up to create those nasty smells. Keep your drains clear, and with just a bit of time and effort, your shower drain could smell fresh, look clean, and be completely functional.