We are known for spending a lot of time focusing on what the “face” is in our kitchens. We polish our granite countertops to a shine, clean the cooktop after every dinner, and make sure the shelves of our refrigerator are clear of sticky spills. But there’s one dark, damp area of the living room that a lot of people are prone to overlooking until the smell starts. The hidden spot is actually the drain of your kitchen sink. This is the most effective capture point for any amount of food waste, grease and other liquid waste that comes into our kitchens and bathrooms.Expert in cleaning, Jill Koch, recently shared a disturbing reality with Southern Living that might make one rethink the way you wash dishes. Koch pointed out that the kitchen sink tends to be dirtier than the toilet seat, particularly due to the drain. Because the area is continually subject to organic matter from food, this area becomes a flourishing place for harmful bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella. If your drain has become a place where germs can thrive and bacteria, it’s difficult to convince yourself that the food items you wash over it are clean.The science behind the kitchen is essential to keeping your home healthy. A study within the Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology examined the ways in which the kitchen in your home can be a major reservoir for pathogens. Researchers observed that the damp conditions of the sink permit complex microbial communities to thrive and often survive even with basic surface washing. This is why taking a deeper dive into the pipes is as important as washing the faucet.The natural way to deodorise and disinfectIf it’s time to clean the drains, most homeowners opt for the most practical containers under the basin. But there’s an underlying misconception surrounding two well-known cleaning products made from natural ingredients, which are vinegar and baking soda. We’ve all seen online videos that show the two substances bubbling and causing a satisfying chemical reaction. Although the bubbly looks amazing, it’s really a signal of the two ingredients neutralising one another. According to Koch, when you pair them up, the two substances cancel one another out and leave just salted water.For the best results from these pantry staples, it is essential to utilise these items in a particular order. Begin by adding about half to a cup full of baking soda straight to the drain. To give it extra “grip” against grease, include a drop of dishwashing soap. Allow the mixture to remain for around 5 minutes. It allows the abrasive and alkaline properties of baking soda to dissolve the grime. After thorough washing using hot water, you can follow it up by putting a cup of vinegar into the pipe. The staggered method ensures that every ingredient works its magic on odours as well as the bacteria separately.These natural solutions are typically secure; it’s important to note that vinegar’s acidity may be quite hard on copper and brass pipes when used regularly. But, as a month-long maintenance schedule, it is the best way to maintain the freshness of your pipes. The research of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health often reveals that natural cleaning products are extremely effective at decreasing the amount of household microbes in your home, without the risks to respiratory health that come with synthetic toxins. If you stick to these simple techniques, you can protect your plumbing as well as the health of your family’s lungs.
Your kitchen sink drain may hide more germs than a toilet. Image Credit: Gemini
Tackling tough clogs and persistent odoursIf baking soda doesn’t do your job, you may encounter a more persistent buildup of organic matter. Before you go to the store for high-end commercial drain cleaning products, which contain a lot of acidic chemicals that may harm your pipes in the long run, you should consider using an enzyme-based cleaner. The cleaners offered are, in essence, the biological answer to physical issues. They’re made of living bacteria that make enzymes specially designed to “eat” and break down the fats and food particles.Utilising an enzyme cleaner takes a little patience. In contrast to chemical strippers, which can be used in a matter of seconds, enzymes take the time needed to fully digest the blockage. It is recommended to apply them prior to going to bed or when you leave work so that they can enjoy an extended period of time without interruption. After they’ve completed their work, a quick wash with hot water, then a splash of baking soda, could rid the room of any smells that may be left by biological substances.Cleaning your drains is more about regularity rather than intricacy. Although you must clean the sink every day, the drain should be able to manage with a good cleaning once every month. The regular cleaning schedule will prevent the thick biofilm made of bacteria and grease from getting a foothold. If you are at an impasse that does not even drain, boiling water could be the first option to remove fat. If the water remains unmoving, it’s better to speak with a licensed plumber instead of taking the chance of having a leak through a lot of DIY tweaking. Maintaining your kitchen’s cleanliness involves looking under the surface and making sure that any parts you don’t detect are as clean as the ones you see.
