'Effective' thing you can do now to avoid hot weather smells at home

As the UK welcomes warmer weather, home and shower experts have revealed eight budget-friendly and unconventional methods to revitalise your bathroom. Over time, drains can become obstructed by accumulations of hair, soap residue, and various products.

Although slow drainage often indicates a blockage, some clogs may go unnoticed. With the arrival of warmer weather, blocked drains can emit an unpleasant odour, prompting specialists to urge Britons to cleanse their drains in advance to avert this issue.

Shower and bathroom expert Andy Ellis from said: "No one wants a foul smell entering their home, which is why it's worth giving your drains a refresh as we head into spring. Unknown blockages can start to smell when the weather warms up and the longer you leave them, the more damage they're doing to pipework - which could leave you with an even bigger and more expensive problem.

"There are some really simple and effective ways to unclog drains and you can use some items you already have in your home, such as salt and white vinegar. You can even use things like indigestion tablets and vodka to help unblock and neutralise any odours."

Seven cheap ways to clean drains

Boiling water

The experts suggest seven economical methods for drain cleaning, including the use of boiling water.

Pouring boiling water down drains is a simple yet effective hack that can help fix drain clogs by melting and loosening any grease or scum that is in the pipes. It's important to remember that this method is only effective for minor clogs, more stubborn ones will need to be tackled using stronger ingredients.

Baking soda and vinegar

These cleaning cupboard staples work great when sprinkled onto drains. When mixed together they begin to fizz which can help break down clogs and build up.

This is particularly effective in tackling clogs that have formed from everyday use and include hair, grease and other debris. For best results, pour the baking soda down the drain first then the vinegar, cover it and let it sit for around 30 minutes to an hour before flushing it away with hot water.

Effervescent indigestion tablets

Similar to white vinegar and baking soda, the fizzy reaction from effervescent indigestion tablets can help loosen debris in clogged drains. Drop a few tablets down the drain followed by a cup of white vinegar.

Let it sit for a few moments until the fizzing stops and wash the solution away with hot water.

Salt

Salt can act as a mild abrasive that can help break down grease and debris. Simply pour salt down the drain, followed by boiling water, wait for around 15 minutes before pouring more boiling water down the drain to flush the salt away.

Salt can also be added to baking soda and white vinegar for more stubborn clogs.

Lemon juice

Lemon juice is another great ingredient to help combat clogged drains thanks to its acidic nature. It also helps combat any odours by leaving behind a fresh, citric scent.

Combine with baking soda for extra strength and pour the solution down the drain. Let it sit for half an hour and wash away with boiling water.

Vodka

While vodka won't necessarily unclog your drains, it can be used for drain maintenance to help clear loose debris, kill bacteria and neutralise any odours. Pour half a cup down the drain, let it sit for up to 30 minutes and rinse away with boiling water.