We explain what causes smelly pipes and how to fix them fast. If your sink or bathroom gives off odd smells, the likely culprits are food, grease, hair, soap or a dried P-trap letting sewer gas into your home. We outline simple checks you can try now and when to call a pro.
Quick fixes include running hot water correctly, using baking soda and white vinegar, safe plunging with a sealed lip, and snake tools for stubborn blockages. Avoid boiling water on PVC and always catch water when you clean a P-trap.
For persistent smells or signs of bigger trouble—gurgling, slow water or damp patches—we recommend contacting us. OnCall Emergency Plumbers are Melbourne-based, available 24/7 for blocked drains, burst pipes and leaks. Call 1800 571 216 or learn more about our blocked drain services here.
Key Takeaways
- Most smells come from trapped food, grease, hair or a dry P‑trap.
- Try hot (not boiling on PVC) water, baking soda and vinegar first.
- Plunge properly and use a drain snake before using harsh chemicals.
- Persistent issues—gurgles, slow water or damp—need professional help.
- OnCall Emergency Plumbers in Melbourne offer 24/7 rapid response on 1800 571 216.
What’s behind a smelly drain? Quick diagnosis before you start
A quick sniff around each tap and waste often reveals the likely cause and saves time.
Kitchen culprits
In the kitchen the common causes are food particles, oils and grease that cling to the sink drain and garbage disposal. Leftover debris holds moisture and feeds bacteria, producing a rancid smell.
Bathroom offenders
In bathrooms hair and soap scum combine into clogs. Slow flow lets mould thrive in the shower and basin wastes and creates a musty scent.
Traps, vents and the wider system
A dry trap in an unused sink or floor waste stops blocking sewer gases, so smells enter the home. Blocked vent pipes or a blocked sewer line can push wastewater back and cause gurgling or slow flow.
- Sniff-test each fixture to locate the worst smell.
- Check unused sinks and floor wastes for a dry trap.
- Match the scent: rotten-egg notes may point to sulphate bacteria in a hot water system.
If your checks suggest a vent or sewer issue, we’re available 24/7 across Melbourne — call OnCall Emergency Plumbers on 1800 571 216.
odour from drains: step-by-step fixes you can try now
Start with simple, safe steps you can do right now to clear smells and restore flow. These actions address most kitchen and bathroom problems without specialist tools.
Refill the trap
Run a sink for 10–15 seconds or the shower for about a minute to reseal the trap. This restores the water barrier that stops sewer gases entering the home.
Flush with heat
Pour hot water in two or three passes to melt grease and soap films. Use near‑boiling only on metal pipes; avoid boiling water on PVC to protect your pipes.
Baking soda and white vinegar
Add baking soda, followed by vinegar, then briefly block the opening to build pressure. Wait several minutes, then flush with hot water to get rid of residue.
Garbage disposal refresh
Run a steady water stream and pulse the disposal for 10–15 seconds. Finish by grinding citrus peels to sanitise and reduce garbage smells.
Plunge, snake and clean the trap
Seal the plunger rim with petroleum jelly, submerge in hot water and plunge firmly. If needed, use a snake or bent coat hanger to hook out hair and debris.
To clean a P‑trap, place a bucket, loosen the nuts, empty gunk, rinse outside and reassemble tightly. Test under running water for leaks.
If these steps don’t resolve the issue or you’re unsure about disassembling pipes, we’re available 24/7 across Melbourne on 1800 571 216 for safe, affordable repairs using trusted-brand materials. Learn more about our services here.
Prevent smells before they start: a simple maintenance playbook
Good habits in the kitchen and bathroom stop smells before they start and save time later.
Kitchen habits that work
We never pour fats, oils or grease down the kitchen sink. Scrape plates into the bin or compost and collect cooled fats in a sealed container.
Wipe pans with paper towel first to cut grease reaching the drain. Keep the garbage disposal clean by rinsing and running citrus peels now and then.
Bathroom best practice
Install strainers and hair catchers in basins and showers and empty them often to stop debris building up. Wipe away soap residue to reduce soap scum and scum on tiles.
Run water in seldom‑used sinks to keep the trap filled and the water seal intact.
Weekly and monthly routines
Weekly: flush with hot water to clear early film and keep drains flowing. It takes just a minute per sink.
Monthly: use baking soda then vinegar, let it fizz, and finish with hot water to control odors and scum. Avoid overuse of harsh drain cleaners—simple routines work best for home maintenance.
- Keep a quick checklist by fixture so everyone follows the same way to prevent a stinky drain.
- Before long trips, run water in unused sinks and consider a little mineral oil in traps to slow evaporation.
For Melbourne businesses and households wanting a proactive plan, we can schedule regular maintenance and emergency-ready cover — call OnCall Emergency Plumbers on 1800 571 216.
When to call OnCall Emergency Plumbers in Melbourne
We recommend calling us when basic remedies don’t stop recurring smells or when multiple fittings show the same problem. Such signs often point beyond a simple trap refill to a blocked sewer line or vent issue that can force wastewater back through your system.
Persistent odors, gurgling or slow flow
Call us if you notice ongoing odors across several fixtures, gurgling, slow flow or water backing up when other taps run. These are classic indicators of a sewer or vent line fault rather than a local clog.
24/7 emergency repairs with trusted materials
We offer round‑the‑clock plumbing and drain cleaning. Our team repairs burst pipes, fixes leaks and services blocked drains using trusted‑brand parts to limit repeat problems.
Call 1800 571 216 — quick, experienced help
We work fast, diagnose the root cause and stabilise your system. Expect affordable, transparent pricing and reliable workmanship for homes and commercial sites across Melbourne.
- If DIY trap refills and hot flushes don’t help, phone us — we’ll check the line and vents.
- We tailor solutions for kitchen sink, bathroom and wider pipe networks to stop repeat issues.
- Available 24/7 on 1800 571 216 for emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, sewer line repairs and general pipe work.
Conclusion
We’ll finish with clear steps to get rid of a smelly drain and protect your pipes. Refill P‑traps, run hot water (avoid boiling water on PVC), use baking soda and vinegar, and refresh the garbage disposal with citrus to cut kitchen smells.
Plunge firmly, snake out hair and debris, and clean the P‑trap when needed. Keep food and grease out of the sink and use strainers in the bathroom and shower to stop build‑up.
If multiple fixtures smell, you hear gurgling or water backs up, the issue may sit along the sewer line or vent. That’s when we inspect, diagnose and fix the system with trusted parts.
For fast support across Melbourne—late night or emergency plumbing, blocked drains, burst pipes or leaks—call OnCall Emergency Plumbers on 1800 571 216.
FAQ
What causes bad smells from drains in the kitchen and bathroom?
Several things can cause unpleasant smells. In the kitchen, trapped food particles, grease, oils and soap scum collect in the sink, drain line and garbage disposal, feeding bacteria that create foul odours. In bathrooms, hair, soap residue and mould in slow drains or traps build up and smell. A dry P‑trap can let sewer gases into your home, while blocked vents or sewer line problems can push odour and wastewater back indoors. Water heaters contaminated by sulphate‑reducing bacteria can also produce a rotten‑egg smell.
How can we quickly diagnose a smelly drain before attempting fixes?
Start by isolating the source. Check which sink, shower or floor waste smells strongest. Run water and listen for gurgles that suggest a vent or trap issue. Inspect the P‑trap under basins for dryness or leaks. Smell at the overflow and inside the garbage disposal after running it. If smells persist across multiple fixtures, suspect a vent or sewer line problem that may need professional assessment.
Will running hot water remove the smell?
Hot water helps dissolve grease and flush loose debris, so a sustained hot‑water flush often reduces kitchen odours. Avoid pouring boiling water into PVC pipes; use near‑boiling instead. For bathroom drains, hot water can loosen soap scum and oils. Repeat flushes combined with mechanical cleaning give the best result.
Can baking soda and white vinegar get rid of smelly drains?
Yes. A cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white vinegar produces fizzing that can dislodge residue and neutralise some smells. Let it sit for 15–30 minutes, then flush with hot water. This method works best for maintenance and light build‑up, not for severe blockages or deep grease deposits in pipework.
How should we clean and refresh a garbage disposal safely?
Run cold water, switch on the disposal for short bursts and feed it small food scraps, then rinse thoroughly. Use citrus peels or a mixture of ice and rock salt to scrub the grinding components and remove smells. Never put fibrous or starchy items like onion skins, celery strings or potato peels down the unit, and avoid chemical drain cleaners that can damage disposal parts.
What is the correct way to plunge a sink or shower drain?
Use a plunger that matches the fixture—cup plungers for sinks, flange plungers for toilets. Create a tight seal, block any overflow openings with a wet cloth, and plunge with firm, even strokes. Finish with a hot‑water flush to clear loosened debris. If plunging fails, try mechanical removal or call a plumber before using harsh chemicals.
Can we remove clogs with a coat hanger or drain snake?
For hair and surface debris, a straightened coat hanger with a hooked end can work in showers and basin grates. A drain snake or hand auger is safer and more effective for deeper clogs. Use gentle, controlled pressure to avoid damaging pipes and remove pulled material into a bucket. If unsure, contact a professional to avoid pipe damage.
How do we clean a P‑trap safely?
Place a bucket under the trap, loosen the slip nuts, and remove the trap carefully. Empty contents, scrub the trap with a brush and rinse before reassembling with new washers if needed. Ensure all connections are tight to prevent leaks. If the trap is corroded or the fittings are seized, call a plumber to replace it safely.
What kitchen habits prevent smells and blockages?
Never pour fats, oil or grease down the sink—cool and dispose of them in the bin or compost. Use a strainer to catch food scraps and empty it into the rubbish. Run hot water after washing dishes to flush oils, and perform a weekly hot‑water flush and monthly baking soda + vinegar treatment to keep lines clear.
What bathroom routines stop smells before they start?
Install hair catchers in showers and basins to trap strands. Clean the drain cover and remove visible scum regularly. Run water in seldom‑used fixtures weekly to keep traps filled. Use mild cleaners to manage soap scum and wipe down tiles to reduce mould growth.
How often should we perform routine drain maintenance?
We recommend a weekly hot‑water flush for kitchen and bathroom drains, emptying strainers after each use, and a monthly baking soda plus vinegar treatment to break down buildup. More frequent attention may be needed in busy households or where heavy grease and hair accumulate.
When should we call OnCall Emergency Plumbers in Melbourne?
Contact us for persistent odours, recurring gurgling, slow or blocked drains that don’t clear with DIY methods, suspected sewer or vent issues, or any sewage backup. We offer 24/7 emergency repairs, use trusted‑brand materials and provide affordable solutions for blocked drains, burst pipes and leaks. Call 1800 571 216 for immediate assistance from experienced professionals.
