4 natural remedies to eliminate bad smells emanating from the shower drain

Our shower drains are constantly in contact with dirt, soap residue and hair; this is especially true in the summer, when we shower much or often. As a result, the drain can get blocked and/or give off a bad smell.

When this happens, we need to act quickly to avoid having to call out the plumber later. And, fortunately, there are a few DIY remedies to do this.

Here, we show you 4 natural remedies for eliminating bad smells emanating from your shower's drain: 

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First of all, remove any obvious dirt and limescale that is on or around the drain itself. And if you can disassemble and clean any of its parts, so much the better. Then proceed as follows:

• Citric acid: this is a very effective and versatile remedy. Dissolve 150 g of citric acid in a basin of hot water. This mixture will not only dissolve limescale and lumps of dirt, but will also have a deodorizing effect. Be careful not to use this mixture on marble surfaces, as it could damage them.
• Vinegar and lemon: this is one of the oldest remedies for cleaning drains. All you need to do is mix the juice of a filtered lemon with 400 ml of white wine vinegar to obtain a mixture with anti-limescale, unclogging and deodorizing properties. Pour the mixture directly down the drain and leave it to work overnight, repeating the operation the following evening, if necessary.
• Sodium bicarbonate: this well-known sanitizing and deodorizing product can also be used for the drain. Dissolve 200 g in a basin of hot water and pour it down the drain, leaving it to act overnight. This method can also be combined with the previous two, for maximum effectiveness.
• Coarse or fine salt: salt is also excellent as a de-clogging and deodorizing agent. Dissolve half a glass of salt in a bucket of hot water and pour it down the drain, leaving it to act overnight. If you want a more effective action, add half a glass of sodium bicarbonate to the mixture.

All these remedies can be enhanced with a few drops of essential oil, which will also leave behind a pleasant scent. Lavender essential oil, for example, is perfect for having a relaxing shower.

How do you clean your shower drain?