Unpleasant odours in the bathroom can put a dark cloud over the start to your day. Often, these are caused by a smelly drain – a frequent problem in many households and one that it is only a matter of time until you experience. So, what can you do to prevent your oasis of tranquillity and relaxation from becoming a no-go zone? This article explains how to preventatively and effectively combat smelly drains.
Let’s start with the important message: you don’t have a general hygiene problem as you’re searching for a solution to your issue. And as mentioned at the start of the article, you’re not alone in having this issue; it can affect anyone. Despite this, unpleasant odours from bathroom drains are annoying and a sign that you need to take action. This is because the residues that are causing the odours can also impede your drain’s functionality and therefore prevent water from correctly draining away. That would be a much bigger problem than a foul odour. Frequent causes include deposits such as hair, soap suds, dirt particles and grease, which can build up over time. But how do these unpleasant deposits occur in the first place? Let’s get to the root of the issue.
We’ve all been there... You walk into a bathroom that hasn’t been used for a while and it no longer smells quite so fresh. Dried-out siphons start to smell like sewers. But various forms of residue can also collect in the drain when your shower is used regularly. Each of these creates an additional area for further substances to stick to. As the water that runs down the drain has too low a pressure or temperature to remove all particles, the deposits gradually build up over time. This means there are various reasons why a drain can smell.
Unpleasant odours arise through the decomposition of organic materials in the drain. What’s more, the warm, damp conditions found in bathrooms promote the growth of bacteria and mould, which are responsible for odour development. The organic substances deposited decompose simply and easily.
As soon as you notice an unpleasant odour coming from your drain, it is essential to identify and eliminate the cause. There’s no way around this as simply concealing the odour, for example with air freshener or scented candles, doesn’t get to the root of the problem. Work systematically when eliminating odours.
Step #1
Check the drain: look for and remove visible deposits. Never use sharp-edged or pointed objects to do this as they can damage the drain.
Tip: to prevent cleaning from becoming a complicated task that takes you all morning, drain systems should be easy to open. hansgrohe waste systems are designed for quick and easy removal and cleaning.
Step #2
Mechanical cleaning: use a flexible drain brush or a plunger.
A plunger is particularly effective in the event of blockages as it tries to dislodge these by alternating between negative and positive pressure. For optimum effect, choose a plunger that fully covers the drain. You can also improve the efficiency by sealing any overflow areas with a towel.
If the drain is still blocked, a drain brush can be used. This is inserted into the drain until it meets the blockage. You can then dislodge any deposits by gently moving the brush up and down and in circles.
Step #3
Final clean of the surfaces: to remove any superficial deposits at the end of the cleaning process and eliminate residues left from steps #1 and #2, you should clean the drain or outlet with a mild cleaning agent then polish it with a cotton cloth. Chemical cleaning agents should only be used as a last resort. They not only pollute the environment as they are difficult to filter out of waste water but can also corrode both plastic and metal due to chemical reactions with these materials.
If unpleasant odours have been caused by a dried-out siphon, the solution is extremely simple: thoroughly rinse the drain with hot water. This will fill the siphon with fresh water, instantly reducing odours.
If the source of the odour lies deeper and couldn’t be resolved by rinsing the siphon or using the drain brush or plunger, you may need to remove and clean the siphon. Twist the siphon to carefully unscrew the individual parts and thoroughly clean them. Don’t forget the bucket! This method is only effective if the blockage causing the odour isn't in a pipe within the wall.
The following materials and tools are required to complete steps #1 to #3:
In our efforts to find a solution to smelly drains that is both effective and environmentally friendly, we’ll now turn to the power of nature. Household products like baking powder, vinegar or lemon juice offer a gentle but effective alternative to chemical cleaning agents and can often simply be found in your kitchen cupboard.
Even though regularly ventilating your bathroom should be an important part of your everyday routine, this won’t permanently resolve the problem of a smelly drain. No-one can get around the fact that regular and preventative cleaning is key to stopping unpleasant odours from developing in your drain. However, modern technologies can naturally also help to generally banish unpleasant odours from your bathroom.
Our shower and floor drains are fitted with Dryphon technology. The powerful siphon in these systems effectively prevents hair and dirt from collecting in the drain while also blocking unpleasant odours from the drainage pipes if you’re ever away from home for an extended period. This technology saves you valuable time that you’d otherwise have to spend cleaning the drain.
Wondering how it works? The hansgrohe Dryphon is a mechanical odour trap that allows a high drainage speed. The drainage capacity of up to 60 litres per minute prevents dirt and hair from collecting and efficiently rinses them down the drainage pipes. Once the water has drained away, the Dryphon technology instantly closes the opening, sealing off the connection to the sewers and keeping your bathroom and your shower odour free.
Unlike conventional odour traps with a water barrier, the RainDrain waste system from hansgrohe uses a high-tech membrane that doesn’t dry out, even if not used for a prolonged period.
In summary, a combination of regular cleaning, the use of easy-to-clean drain systems and the integration of shower/floor drains with Dryphon technology is a reliable method for preventing smelly drains. Adopting these measures provides you with a permanent solution to this everyday problem and helps to keep your bathroom fresh and hygienic.
Smelly drains are often caused by deposits such as hair or soap suds that build up over time.
Mechanical cleaning with a drain brush and the use of household products such as baking powder and vinegar are effective methods.
Whereas mild cleaning agents and even household products such as vinegar and baking powder can be safe, aggressive chemicals should be avoided as they can damage the pipes.
Yes, hansgrohe’s Dryphon technology in waste systems is designed to minimise the build-up of deposits and therefore prevent odours.
We recommend regular cleaning, about once a month, to remove any build-ups of residues in the drain and therefore prevent odours.