Why does the shower drain smell unpleasant? Let's find out the reasons why and how to solve this problem
It often happens that in the bathroom, despite it being clean, can smell unpleasant. This can be very irritating or even embarrassing, especially if we have guests.
Often these smells emanate from the drains and are a symptom of something being wrong. There are many chemical products on the market to unblock and deodorize drains, but for those who care for the environment (and those who want to save money), there are also natural remedies that could be effective. Read on to find out more:
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What causes bad smells and blocked drains?
Unpleasant odors sometimes linger despite our best effors. But what causes these odors that emanate from, in particular, the shower's drain?
- Soap residue settling in the pipes. The "slime" that is created by soap stagnation causes a layer of impurities to form which, when sticking to the drains and pipes, causes a bad smell.
- Damaged pipes. Sometimes it happens that, if the pipes are old or damaged, smells from sewers to which they are connected could leak into our bathroom.
- Mold. One of the main culprits is mold. Mold usually forms in hidden places in drains and to eliminate it you need to dismantle drain fittings.
- Dirt residue. Hair, fur and other debris in general could accumulate in the drains, stagnate/rot and give rise to this annoying problem. One of the first things to do, then, would be to try to eliminate any blockages caused by these materials building up in the pipes.
How to eliminate unpleasant smells from the shower's drain
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Since it is not at all nice to have unpleasant odors emanating from the drain, especially the one in the shower, it is advisable to understand how to eliminate this problem. First of all, it is advisable to constantly clean and cover the drain with filters that can prevent dirt debris from getting into the pipes. However, if, despite doing this, the smell becomes worse (or lingers), you can resort to using commercial products:
- Chemical drain cleaner. This is without doubt, an excellent ally in cleaning drains and should usually be applied in the evening, so that it can act throughout the night.
- Anti-mold products. These are very useful for eliminating mold caused by excess humidity (which is normal in a bathroom). If it persists, it is advisable to scrub the moldy surfaces with an old toothbrush to get rid of it.
- Baking soda and vinegar. Infallible allies in the battle against dirt, these products could also be super-effective in cleaning out drains. Just pour two tablespoons of baking soda down the drain and immediately follow this with a glass of vinegar. The reaction between the two elements will ensure that any dirt residue disappears (and takes the smell with it). Afterwards, flush away with running water.
- Bleach. This product is also very effective in cleaning out drains.
A bit of perfume and you're done...
By putting the above tips into practice, your bathroom will smell wonderful again. If you want the good smell to persist, you could try pouring a mixture of water and a few drops of essential oil down the drain from time to time (or whenever the perfume smell starts to fade).
Finally, if the problem persists, you might have to call in a plumber for more specialized services.
