How to Remove Smell from Kitchen Sink: Easy Tips That Work Fast

You walk into your kitchen, and instead of that fresh, clean smell, you’re hit with a bad odor from the sink. You wonder what it is and how to stop it. This smell can ruin your whole cooking mood. Here’s the good news — the fix is easier than you think. To remove smell from kitchen sink, pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain, let it fizz, then rinse with hot water. In this article, you’ll learn exactly what causes it and how to get rid of it for good using simple things at home.

Clean the Drain with Baking Soda and Vinegar

One of the easiest and most helpful ways to remove smell from a kitchen sink is using baking soda and vinegar. These two ingredients are found in most kitchens, and they work like magic. Baking soda breaks down dirt and food bits, and vinegar helps kill germs and removes the smell. When you mix them, they make bubbles that help clean deep inside the drain.

Start by pouring half a cup of baking soda into your kitchen sink drain. Let it sit for a minute or two. Then pour one cup of white vinegar down the same drain. You will hear a fizzing sound, which means it is working. The fizzing helps break down old food, oil, and other things stuck inside the drain pipe. Let this mixture sit in the drain for at least 15 minutes.

After that, boil a kettle full of water and pour it down the drain slowly. The hot water will wash away all the loosened dirt and clear the pipe. This helps remove the bad smell too. If your sink smells really bad, you can do this twice a week until the smell is fully gone. For regular care, doing this once a week helps keep your sink fresh and clean.

You can also add a few drops of lemon juice or essential oil after the cleaning. This gives your kitchen a nice fresh smell. Some people even use ice cubes made from lemon juice to clean the drain.

• Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain
• Add 1 cup white vinegar
• Let it bubble for 15 minutes
• Flush with boiling water
• Repeat weekly for best results
• Use lemon or essential oils for freshness

Wash the Garbage Disposal Properly

If your kitchen sink has a garbage disposal, this could be the main reason for the bad smell. Over time, food gets stuck in the blades or sides of the disposal, and it starts to rot. This creates a strong, bad smell that stays in the sink area. Cleaning the garbage disposal the right way is important to remove the smell completely.

Start by turning off the garbage disposal. Never put your hand inside while it is on or plugged in. First, run some cold water through the disposal for a few seconds to loosen anything stuck. Then, pour half a cup of baking soda followed by one cup of vinegar into the disposal. Let it sit and bubble for about 10 minutes.

While waiting, fill your sink halfway with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap. Then unplug the drain and turn on the disposal while the water is draining. This helps clean the blades and remove any remaining food bits.

To make the garbage disposal smell better, you can grind ice cubes and small slices of lemon or orange. The ice helps clean the blades, and the fruit removes the bad odor. Do this once a week to keep your disposal clean and smelling nice.

You can also use a long brush or toothbrush to clean around the rubber flaps where food may hide. Always be gentle and make sure the power is off.

• Turn off the garbage disposal
• Pour baking soda and vinegar, let it sit
• Fill sink with warm soapy water and drain with disposal on
• Grind ice and lemon slices for a fresh scent
• Clean around the rubber flap with a brush
• Repeat weekly or as needed

Remove and Clean the Sink Stopper

The sink stopper is something most people forget to clean, but it can hold onto food, hair, and grease. These things build up and cause a very bad smell over time. If you have done everything else and the smell is still there, check the sink stopper. Removing and cleaning it can make a big difference.

To start, remove the stopper from your sink. Some stoppers just pull out, but others may need to be twisted or unscrewed. Be careful not to break it. Once you take it out, you might see slime or black dirt stuck to it. This is what is causing the smell.

Use hot water, dish soap, and an old toothbrush to scrub it clean. You can also soak it in a mix of vinegar and water for 15 minutes to kill any germs and remove deep dirt. Scrub the inside of the drain opening too. Often, dirt hides under the rim where you cannot see it.

After cleaning, rinse everything well and place the stopper back in the sink. Do this once every two weeks to stop the smell from coming back.

• Take out the sink stopper
• Wash with hot water, soap, and a toothbrush
• Soak in vinegar water for 15 minutes
• Scrub inside the drain opening
• Rinse and put it back
• Clean every two weeks

Clear Out the Sink Overflow Hole

Not all sinks have an overflow hole, but if yours does, it can also be a place where smells hide. This hole is made to stop the sink from overflowing, but it also gathers water, soap, and food over time. If you don’t clean it, it can start to smell bad.

To clean it, find the small hole near the top edge of your sink. Use a small bottle brush or a pipe cleaner to clean inside the hole. You can dip the brush in vinegar or a mix of vinegar and baking soda to help break down anything stuck inside.

Push the brush in and out a few times to remove all dirt. Then pour some hot water through the hole using a turkey baster or a cup with a narrow spout. This will wash away any leftover grime. You can also squeeze lemon juice inside to leave a fresh smell.

Clean this hole every month, or more often if your kitchen sink gets a lot of use. It only takes a few minutes and can help stop hidden smells.

• Find the overflow hole on the sink
• Use a brush dipped in vinegar to scrub inside
• Rinse with hot water using a baster or spout cup
• Add lemon juice for freshness
• Clean monthly to prevent smells

Fix Slow Drains That Trap Bad Odors

A slow kitchen drain can hold standing water, food waste, and grease. This not only makes your sink slow to empty but also lets bad smells grow. Fixing a slow drain will help stop the smell and keep water flowing better.

Start by checking if the water is draining slowly. If yes, pour boiling water slowly into the drain. This helps melt and move grease that may be stuck. Next, try a mix of 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup salt. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then flush with boiling water again. This can help push out deeper clogs.

If the drain is still slow, use a plunger. Place it over the drain and pump it a few times. If needed, try using a drain snake, which is a long wire that helps pull out clogs.

Once your drain is clear, you should clean it weekly to keep things flowing smoothly. Do not pour oil or grease into your kitchen sink, as it hardens and blocks the drain. Also, use sink strainers to catch food bits before they go down the drain.

• Test if your sink is draining slowly
• Pour boiling water to loosen grease
• Use baking soda and salt mix, let sit
• Plunge or snake the drain if needed
• Avoid pouring grease into sink
• Use sink strainers to prevent clogs

Use Natural Deodorizers to Keep Sink Fresh

Even after cleaning, your kitchen sink may sometimes get a light odor. Using natural deodorizers is a safe and easy way to keep it fresh every day. You don’t need to use strong chemicals — simple kitchen items work just fine.

One of the best natural deodorizers is lemon. Cut a lemon into small pieces and drop them in the drain. Let cold water run while your disposal grinds them (if you have one). If not, squeeze lemon juice down the drain. It leaves a fresh citrus scent.

You can also use essential oils like tea tree, lavender, or eucalyptus. Put 5-10 drops into the drain after cleaning. It smells nice and kills some germs too. Another method is to keep a small dish of baking soda under the sink to absorb smells.

Boiling cinnamon sticks or cloves in water and pouring it down the drain also works. It gives a warm smell to your kitchen. Coffee grounds can also be used. Let them dry and place a small bowl of them near the sink to catch bad smells.

• Drop lemon slices or juice in the drain
• Add a few drops of essential oils
• Keep baking soda under the sink
• Pour cinnamon or clove water down the drain
• Use dried coffee grounds as air fresheners

Final Thoughts

Kitchen sink smells are a common problem, but you don’t have to live with them. With simple things like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and hot water, you can clean and freshen your sink in no time. Remember to clean the disposal, stopper, and overflow hole often. Stop smells before they start by using natural items to keep things fresh. With a little care every week, your kitchen will always smell clean and inviting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it safe to pour vinegar down the kitchen sink?

Yes, it is completely safe to pour vinegar down the kitchen sink. In fact, vinegar helps clean your sink and remove smells naturally. It is not harmful to your pipes. When you mix vinegar with baking soda, it creates a bubbling reaction that can break down grease and leftover food stuck in your drain. Just make sure to rinse everything with hot water after. You can use vinegar once or twice a week to keep your kitchen sink clean and smelling fresh.

Can baking soda damage kitchen pipes?

No, baking soda will not damage kitchen pipes. It is a gentle and natural cleaner that is safe to use in any kitchen sink. In fact, using baking soda regularly helps keep your drain clean by removing food bits, grease, and smell. It also helps stop clogs before they start. Unlike strong chemicals, baking soda is not harsh and will not wear out your pipes. You can safely use it weekly with vinegar for best results.

Do I need to clean the sink even if it looks clean?

Yes, you should still clean your sink even if it looks clean. Bad smells often come from places you can’t see, like inside the drain or garbage disposal. Food waste, grease, and soap can build up over time and cause a strong odor. Regular cleaning helps remove hidden dirt and stops smells from coming back. Even if the sink looks shiny on the outside, it’s what hides inside the pipes that really matters.

Is it normal for the sink to smell after using the garbage disposal?

Yes, it can happen, but it’s not something you should ignore. After using the garbage disposal, small pieces of food might stay stuck inside and begin to rot. This can cause a bad smell that spreads through the kitchen. It is a good idea to clean the disposal once a week. You can do this with ice cubes, lemon, and baking soda. Keeping your disposal clean will help stop those smells from coming back.

Can I use lemon juice every day to keep my sink fresh?

Yes, using lemon juice every day is a great idea. It is natural, safe, and leaves a fresh scent in your kitchen. Just squeeze a bit of lemon juice into your drain and run water for a few seconds. If you have a garbage disposal, you can grind lemon slices once a week too. Lemon not only smells good but also helps cut through grease and kills some germs.

Do I have to remove the sink stopper to clean it well?

Yes, removing the sink stopper is the best way to clean it fully. Dirt and slime often stick to the bottom or sides of the stopper. If you only clean the top, the hidden grime stays and keeps making bad smells. Taking it out and scrubbing it with hot water, soap, and vinegar will help get rid of the smell completely. Do this every two weeks to keep your sink fresh.

Is it okay to use dish soap in the drain every day?

Yes, using dish soap in the drain every day is fine and can help reduce grease buildup. When you finish washing dishes, you can let some warm water and soap go down the drain to help keep it clean. It won’t stop strong smells by itself, but it will help prevent buildup. Combine this habit with baking soda and vinegar once a week for better results.

Can slow drains make kitchen smells worse?

Yes, slow drains can make kitchen smells worse. When water and food bits sit in the pipes, they start to rot and create a strong, bad smell. This smell comes back up into your kitchen. Fixing slow drains by flushing with boiling water or using baking soda and vinegar can help a lot. You can also use a plunger or drain snake to remove clogs. Keeping your drain clear helps stop the smell.