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Page 34 — Appliances & Around the House

How to Fix a Sink That Smells Bad

A smelly sink is almost always organic buildup inside the drain — hair, soap scum, food particles, and bacteria. This is a quick clean, not a plumbing problem.

Baking Soda
Deodorizes and reacts with vinegar to break down organic buildup inside the drain.
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White Vinegar
Reacts with baking soda to foam and flush buildup from drain walls.
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Drain Brush
Scrubs the drain flange and stopper where most of the buildup accumulates.
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1
Remove and Scrub the Stopper

Pull the drain stopper out — most twist counterclockwise or lift straight up. This is almost always where the smell is coming from. Scrub it thoroughly with a drain brush and hot water.

2
Apply Baking Soda and Vinegar

Pour a full cup of baking soda directly into the drain. Pour a cup of white vinegar in immediately after. Let it fizz for 10 minutes.

3
Flush and Reinstall

Run the hottest water for 60 seconds to flush everything through. Put the stopper back in place. The smell should be gone immediately.

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