Hints From Heloise

Sat., March 7, 1998

King Features Syndicate

Dear Heloise: What do you recommend to keep bathroom sinks and shower drains from smelling? Is there anything we can pour down the drains? Paul Lamb, Deer Valley, Ariz.

Yes, there is, and you probably have some on hand. My husband, David, a plumbing contractor, recommends household bleach for those bathroom-drain odor problems.

Start with 1 cup, pour it down the drain and leave it for at least an hour or so without running the water. This lets it work through the layers of grime and helps kill the bacteria and gunk that are probably causing the odor.

Be sure to flush with lots of water to make sure to run all the bleach out of the pipes. That should do the trick.

Note: Be sure the drain is in good physical condition so there are no leaks under the sink. And, if the odor persists, you might want to have a professional check it out. - Heloise

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