# My bathroom sink drain stinks - are there sink deoderants? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 31, 2009, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bathroom-sink-drain-stinks-are-there-sink-deoderants/523138 "2009-12-31T03:04:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![qazwart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5fc32e/32.png) [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2010, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bathroom-sink-drain-stinks-are-there-sink-deoderants/523138/21 "2010-01-01T17:31:54Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > One word of warning: DO NOT USE BLEACH & VINEGAR TOGETHER! It’s similar to bleach and ammonia. I also don’t recommend using small explosive charges either. It does get rid of the oder, but I’ve personally found it a bit messy. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bathroom-sink-drain-stinks-are-there-sink-deoderants/523138/22 "2010-01-01T21:40:33Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > He also recommended doing a load of laundry with hot water and bleach (no clothes) periodically to clean out the drains for your washing machine. I do that on my washing machine periodically too, just to clean out any mold, bacteria or funk. Just remember to run at least one extra rinse cycle (if not a complete cycle) with nothing in it in order to remove any residual bleach. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2010, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bathroom-sink-drain-stinks-are-there-sink-deoderants/523138/23 "2010-01-02T03:56:42Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > Bleach works better at 10% strength than it does at full strength. Sort of like you want soap and water to clean with not just soap. This has worked for me. Diluted bleach kills the nasties. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bathroom-sink-drain-stinks-are-there-sink-deoderants/523138/24 "2010-01-02T14:33:50Z")
> [@FalconFinder](#): > > Is there a reason for heating the vinegar? It works more _impressively_. You get more foaming volcano action. Presumably, this makes it that much more effective, but I haven’t done tests. ---
**Author:** ![FalconFinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@FalconFinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FalconFinder)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bathroom-sink-drain-stinks-are-there-sink-deoderants/523138/25 "2010-01-02T14:53:24Z")
Ah. Ok. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bathroom-sink-drain-stinks-are-there-sink-deoderants/523138/26 "2010-01-04T15:01:02Z")
> [@Valgard](#): > > I have a periodic issue where eventually little bits of soap/skin/hair/miscellaneous bathroom sink debris get into the little openings where the sink overflow goes back into the drain. Something begins to feed upon that, leading to a buildup of this extremely nasty grey/black soft boogery substance. Yes, anytime a sink starts smelling, there’s a good chance it’s actually the overflow tube that’s the culprit. Turkey baster and some diluted bleach works wonders. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bathroom-sink-drain-stinks-are-there-sink-deoderants/523138/27 "2010-01-04T15:05:50Z")
Did you ever consider using bleach? I’m just sayin’… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bathroom-sink-drain-stinks-are-there-sink-deoderants/523138/28 "2010-01-05T02:22:52Z")
Actually, a healthy bacterial colony keeps old drains running better. That’s why I do not suggest bleach. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bathroom-sink-drain-stinks-are-there-sink-deoderants/523138/29 "2010-01-05T03:10:12Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Actually, a healthy bacterial colony keeps old drains running better. That’s why I do not suggest bleach. Yeah, but when it gets to the “OH GOD THE SMELL” stage it’s not longer healthy…similar to various gastrointestinal infections. There’s the right kind and amount of bacteria to have in an intestine/drain, and if they get out of line, or the bad kind move in, you have to clear the good out with the bad with some antibiotics/bleach and just wait for the good ones to come back. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bathroom-sink-drain-stinks-are-there-sink-deoderants/523138.md?page=1)