Homemade concoction to improve the smell of my tub drain?

Question

Any suggestions on what I can use from around the house (like vinegar) to pour into my tub drain. It seems to be smelling a bit, the best I can describe it as is "musty".

You can also suggest a really good store bought drain cleaner.
Thanks

Answer 1

I would probably start with pouring just chlorine bleach and let it set a while... to kill off mold & mildew odors. Then flush it with cold water (hot would steam up and give you more of the odor you're trying to avoid).

You can then follow up with a scent you like... be it Pinesol or even lemon juice (which smells so fresh). Just be sure to not mix amonia with the bleach!

Answer 2

If your tub drain is smelling, in all likelyhood there is no water trap below the drain. A water trap is a a piece of pipe with a downward curve in it which catches and holds water. It's primary purpose is to stop odors from coming back out of the pipes. This is the most probable reason for the smell and no matter how much or many chemicals you pour down the drain, the smell won't go away until you get that put in. Have someone who knows plumbing to take a look at the pipe and verify whether or not the water trap is there.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I had a funk coming from my kitchen sink. I tried baking soda (pour some in the drain and let it sit, then rinse it with vinegar to get the reaction to clear the drain a little) and it worked a little. If your tub drain isn't too bad, that might work for you.

This was a weird musty smell, too, in my sink, and it came back very soon after the baking soda trick so I poured some bleach down the drain, let it sit, rinsed it, and viola, no more funk.

Answer 4

Ok, this isn't home made, and I haven't tried it yet. There is a new product for showers that is like a urinal cake, if you know what that is. It is supposed to let off a Good Smelling fragrance in your shower.
Another idea is to pour some bleach down your drain to kill any mold or bacteria that is growing, just make sure to rinse it out well before you take a bath.

Answer 5

Try putting baking soda down the drain first then pour the vinegar on it. It will make a brilliant bubbling reaction & hopefully help with the smell.

Answer 6

First let me warn you. Never pour straight bleach down a drain. If you have PVC pipes it can damage them. If you feel you must bleach, dilute it 1part bleach to 4 parts water.

Personally, I like to use baking soda. Pour a few tablespoons down your drain and let it sit for an hour or so, then run hot water down the drain to rinse out.

Answer 7

White vinegar is a good environmentally friendly drain freshener.

Mix one cup white vinegar to one cup hot water and pour down the drain..

Answer 8

believe it or not........buttermilk! it has enzymes in it that wipes out the bacteria & freshens the drain right up. pour a carton down the drain before you go to bed

Answer 9

Lemon juice and baking soda

Answer 10

a box of baking soda