Many people make a mental list of things to do before they go on vacation. They turn off the lights, disconnect the electronics, empty the fridge, lock the doors, and set the alarm. But there is one small thing that people often forget about, and it can be one of the most frustrating things to confront when you receive back. The sink is in the kitchen or bathroom. If you neglect to clean your sink for a few days, particularly in warm or humid environments, it could develop an unpleasant odor, retain water, or even attract pests.
Most people don’t know this, but there is a curved piece of pipe called a P-trap under every sink. That slight bend holds some water, which acts as a natural barrier to keep sewage gas from coming up into your home. As long as the water remains put, the design is simple but smart and works effectively. But if you leave for a few days or longer, the water in the trap may start to evaporate. Bad smells from the plumbing system can infiltrate your home once that barrier dissolves. You expect the customary cozy smell when you walk in, but instead you receive a musty, sometimes even unpleasant smell that makes you question what went wrong.
There is more. Insects, especially ants, drain flies, and cockroaches, love the dark, damp places inside drainpipes. If you don’t use a sink for a few days and the water stays in the pipe, it creates a wonderful area for bugs to creep up from. They’ll look for food, warmth, and shelter in your kitchen or bathroom once they get in. When you get back from vacation, it’s not unusual to see little ants crawling on your countertops or gnats flying about the sink. In the worst circumstances, bigger bugs like cockroaches might crawl up via the drains.
Fortunately, there is a clever and surprisingly easy way to stop all of this. Before you leave for your trip, put a clean paper towel (or even a few layers of toilet paper) flat over the sink drain. Next, get a solid glass or cup and turn it upside down. Put it just over the drain, on top of the paper towel. This creates a physical barrier that effectively covers the entrance without requiring a tight fit like a stopper. It keeps bugs from crawling through and scents from getting out of the drain.
A lot of old, sticky, or warped sink stoppers or plugs could come free or not make a full seal. The upside-down glass approach, on the other hand, only works by weight and positioning. It doesn’t need a seal because it stops air and movement, which means it acts like a lid to keep the space below it trapped. Insects also can’t get through without moving the glass, which they obviously can’t accomplish.
To get the most out of this method, you need to do a few easy things to make your sink ready. First, pour a kettle of hot water and white vinegar down the drain. This helps get rid of any soap scum, food residue, or grease that could make smells. After that, give it a few minutes to sit. If you have a lemon, cut it in half and brush it around the metal ring of the drain. The juice will get rid of any dirt that could still be there and create a natural citrus smell. Use a cloth or paper towel to dry the area, then put the dry paper towel over the drain and your upside-down glass.
This method is very cheap and uses things you already have at home. It doesn’t include any harmful chemicals, is safe for all kinds of sinks and counters, and doesn’t need any specific tools or supplies. It’s also beneficial for the environment because it doesn’t need chemical deodorizers or bug sprays that can stay in the air or wash into your water supply.
You may use this approach in any room with a sink or open drain, like the kitchen, bathroom, guest room, laundry room, or even the basement utility sink. If you have more than one sink, do the same thing in each one. It only takes a few minutes, but it can save you hours of cleaning and the trouble of coming back to a home that smells bad or has bugs.
Just think about how different it is: you come back home after a long, relaxing vacation, unlock the door, and walk into the same clean, fresh-smelling home you left behind. There are no unfamiliar odors. There are no unwanted bugs present. The sink is clean and ready for you. The paper towel and the upside-down glass were more effective than you initially expected.
Next time you’re packing your bags and going over your mental checklist of things to do before you leave, take a brief moment to cover your sink drains. It’s a tiny step that doesn’t take much effort and makes a significant difference.