If your shower or sink drain is starting to smell a little funky — or water is taking longer than usual to go down — don’t panic and call a plumber just yet. There’s a simple, natural solution you can try first, and chances are, you already have everything you need in your kitchen cupboard.

According to plumbing expert Lee Waring at HomeHow.co.uk, a blocked or slow-moving drain is often caused by a build-up of hair, soap scum, or even small objects that have made their way down the plughole. The signs are easy to spot: gurgling sounds in your pipes, slow drainage, or an unpleasant odour that lingers even after a clean.

“Any unusual smells coming from your shower, bath, sink, or toilet are usually the most obvious signs of an underlying drainage issue,” explains Lee. “In fact, bad odours often appear before you notice anything visual — so it’s worth acting early.”

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The no-plunger-needed method

Rather than reaching for harsh chemicals or paying for a professional inspection, Lee recommends a gentler (and cheaper!) home remedy to help clear the blockage in minutes.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Start with boiling water. Pour a kettle of freshly boiled water slowly down the drain to loosen any light build-up.

  2. Add baking soda. Measure out half a cup of baking soda and tip it directly into the drain.

  3. Follow with vinegar. Mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of hot (not boiling) water, and pour this down over the baking soda.

  4. Seal the drain. Quickly cover the drain with a cloth or plug to trap the fizzing reaction inside. This step helps create pressure, pushing the solution through the blockage.

  5. Let it sit. Give it 15 to 30 minutes to work its magic — this gives the chemical reaction time to break down grime and residue.

  6. Finish with boiling water. Once the time is up, remove the cloth or plug and flush the drain with another round of boiling water.

Did it work?

To test whether the drain is fully cleared, run the shower or tap for a couple of minutes. If the water drains quickly and there’s no longer a lingering smell, your job is done. If not, you might need to repeat the process or investigate further for a more stubborn blockage.

This simple trick is a great first line of defence — and it avoids the need for strong chemicals or pricey callouts. Just be sure to use it as soon as you notice signs of trouble, and not after the water’s already backed up completely.

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