A blocked or slow-draining sink can make your bathroom reek (Image: Getty)
Blocked or slow-draining plugs in the bathroom is a very common problem. With hair, soap and body oils able to build up quickly, it’s understandable that drain pipes can soon become clogged with debris that sits and causes foul and unpleasant smells.
This is never ideal, whether that’s in your shower or sink. But if left untreated, these odours can soon creep up through plug holes and linger, ruining even the bathroom. So, to keep them smelling fresh, home improvement and bathroom specialist Brian Toward at Wholesale Domestic has shared a simple method using a 30p common household item that can fix the problem for good.
You can fix a slow-draining sink and leave a fresh scent behind with one common kitchen scrap (Image: Getty)
Brian shared: “Typically most advice would be to include the usual mix of baking soda and vinegar, but a more unknown yet highly effective method is using citrus peels, particularly oranges or lemons.
“By placing thinly sliced peels directly into the drain and running hot water, the natural oils help to break down grease while leaving a fresh, subtle fragrance behind. This method can also be used for kitchen drains.”
You can buy single and for as little as 30p each from your local Tesco, making this an extremely budget-friendly hack too.
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The natural cleaning power of lemons can be used elsewhere in the house too. For example, you can place some fresh lemon juice or rinds in a bowl of water and microwave it for a few minutes to dislodge any tough grease from the inside of your appliance, making it easy to wipe away.
If your wooden chopping boards are in need of a refresh, simply sprinkle on some salt, and then rub it in with half a lemon. Rinse and repeat as needed to banish any stains or bad smells.
You can also make your own natural furniture polish by combining two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice, and apply with a cloth to your wooden furniture.
Brian also explained: “To help avoid the smells altogether, you can regularly pour a cup of warm salt solution down the drain. Salt acts as a gentle abrasive, dislodging any build-up, while also being an eco-friendly way to combat bacteria growth.”