How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink Drain and Keep It Odor-Free

You’ve scrubbed the sink and wiped the counters—but something still smells off in your kitchen. If that funky odor won’t go away, the source is likely your sink drain. Over time, food particles, grease, and bacteria collect in your drain and create not only a bad smell but also a breeding ground for clogs and mold. The good news? You don’t need harsh chemicals to fix it.

Start by removing any visible debris around the drain opening. If you use a strainer, give it a good scrub with hot soapy water. Once that’s clear, pour a pot of boiling water slowly down the drain to melt away grease and loosen residue.

Next, sprinkle about half a cup of baking soda directly into the drain. Follow it with half a cup of white vinegar. The fizzing action will break down gunk and kill bacteria naturally. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then flush the drain again with more boiling water to rinse everything away.

For a deeper clean—or if there’s still an odor—you can insert a bottle brush or drain brush to gently scrub the inside walls of the drain. Focus on the area just below the surface, where grime tends to build up.

To maintain a fresh-smelling sink, repeat this cleaning process once a week. You can also toss in lemon or orange peels and run your garbage disposal (if you have one) to naturally deodorize the drain.

Keeping your kitchen sink drain clean not only eliminates bad smells but also prevents slow drainage and costly plumbing issues down the line. At I Hate My Sink, we believe that a clean, odor-free sink should be part of your daily kitchen confidence. And when it’s time for something beyond cleaning—like a full replacement—we’ve got your back, too.

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