Put This In Your Sink Before Vacationing To Keep Bad Smells Away - Tasting Table

"There's an easy way to make sure those undesired smells never form in your sink to begin with, and it takes just seconds. Add this to your list of kitchen tasks to do before leaving on holiday. Just fill a glass with cold water and pour it down the drain. Then, take a dampened paper towel and use it to cover the drain. Next, go enjoy your getaway and return home to an odor-free kitchen."

"See, the reason your kitchen sink can smell gross even when you clean it regularly - especially if you're away from home for a bit - is because its whole system is designed to hold a little bit of water in that U-shaped section of the pipe underneath. The point is actually to keep even worse smells at bay, as this water creates a seal against sewer gases that could otherwise travel up the pipe into your sink."

Kitchen sink odors occur when the water in the U-shaped trap evaporates during absences, allowing residue and sewer gases to cause smells. To prevent odors, pour a glass of cold water down the drain and cover the drain with a damp paper towel; the towel slows evaporation and provides a light barrier. Upon returning, run the tap for about a minute to flush pipes and restore the water seal that blocks sewer gases. For longer absences or stubborn odors, add extra measures such as dropping a teaspoon of food-grade mineral oil down the drain. These steps keep the trap moist and maintain an odor-free kitchen.

Read at Tasting Table