This simple trick may be the secret to banishing kitchen smells — and all you need is a glass of water and paper towel

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

It’s always unpleasant when you return home to a musty, smelly kitchen after vacation. Not only can locking up our homes create stagnant air, but the curved pipe (siphon) hidden inside our drains to prevent sewer gases from escaping can also be a culprit for odors.

Instead of frantically spraying air fresheners around the home, there is one surprising trick that you can do before you leave home that can banish horrid smells. In fact, all it takes is a glass of water and paper towel that can make a big difference.

A glass of water and paper towel

Pouring a glass of water from the kitchen tap — (Image credit: Getty Images)

So what causes stinky kitchen drains? Essentially, the siphon is designed to hold back a tiny amount of water to prevent sewer gases from escaping.

Trouble is, when nobody runs the tap, this water can slowly evaporate, which can create odors. What's more, organic waste residue in the pipe can also dry out, oxidize, and start to smell.

To prevent this from happening, simply run cold water for about 10 seconds before pouring a full glass of water directly down the drain. Next, lightly dampen a paper towel, and place flat over the drain opening. Not only will this slow down the evaporation, but will banish fruit flies at the same time. Win-win!

Other top tips

Pouring baking soda and vinegar down drain — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Alternatively, if you’re going away for long periods of time, you could try one teaspoon of food-grade mineral oil that floats on the water's surface and slows down evaporation. However, do not use cooking oil as it will oxidize and leave residue.

If you’re still dealing with smells, another tip is to run cold water for 30–45 seconds to refill the siphon. Then add ½ cup of baking soda and wait five minutes before rinsing with hot water.

Baking soda is a great, natural cleaning solution that can absorb odors. Just note to always avoid using bleach in the siphon as it can release toxic fumes, and damage seals or metals.

Of course, if you’re struggling with odors or simply want cleaner air, it’s always good to invest in one of the best air purifiers to quickly filter airborne pollutants.

So before you head out to your festive trips this holiday season, remember to try the glass of water and paper towel trick for an odor-free home!

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As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features.

Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!

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