Home Care Challenge: Easy Fixes for Drains, Smells & Exhaust Fans
The Drain & Exhaust Fan Clean-Up You’ve Been Avoiding (But Shouldn’t)
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A funny thing happens when you move from an 800 sq. ft. townhouse to a 3,000 sq. ft. house—suddenly, there are so many things to maintain that you never had to think about before. Case in point: the mysterious smell that showed up in our second-floor master bathroom a few months after moving in.
It was subtle at first, like the faint scent of rotten eggs, but then we noticed something even weirder—our bathtub made a gurgling noise every time we flushed the toilet. Not exactly what you want happening in your brand-new home.
After calling in a plumber (goodbye, $145), we learned the culprit: our tub drain trap had dried out, allowing sewer gas to sneak into our bathroom. The fix? Just run water in the tub every so often to keep the trap filled.
These days, with two little kids splashing in every tub and sink, this isn’t much of a problem anymore. But if you have a rarely used bathroom or guest space, take it from me—run some water in those sinks, tubs, and toilets every now and then. It’s an easy way to prevent an unexpected stink (and a completely avoidable service call).
And since we’re already in bathroom maintenance mode, let’s tackle another often-forgotten task: cleaning the exhaust fan.
Keep Those Drains Happy
If you want to avoid slow drains and weird smells, a little preventative care goes a long way. Here are two super simple ways to keep things flowing smoothly:
The Hot Water Flush (Every Few Weeks)
Great for bathroom and kitchen sinks to prevent gunk buildup.
✔️ Boil a half-gallon to a gallon of water.
✔️ Pour half down the drain, wait a few minutes, then pour the rest.
✔️ Tip: If you have a glass or porcelain sink, run warm water first to prevent cracking.
The Baking Soda & Vinegar Trick (A Few Times a Year)
It’s like a mini science experiment for your sink!
✔️ Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain (a funnel helps).
✔️ Add ½ cup of vinegar and immediately cover the drain with a wet rag or rubber plug.
✔️ Let it sit for 5 minutes, then flush with hot water.
✔️ Key Step: Covering the drain traps the reaction and helps break down buildup.
Check Those Unused Sinks, Drains, and Toilets
This is the easiest home maintenance tip ever—just turn on the water! If you have a bathroom that rarely gets used, make a habit of running water in the sink and shower for a minute or two every few weeks; and don’t forget to flush those unused toilets too. It keeps the drain traps filled and prevents funky odors (or worse, potential plumbing issues).
We learned this lesson the hard way when we had to call a plumber to diagnose a mystery smell, only to find out we just needed to turn on the tap occasionally. Oops.
Clean That Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Your bathroom exhaust fan works hard to clear out moisture and odors, but let’s be honest—when was the last time you actually cleaned it? A little dusting a couple of times a year will keep it running efficiently (and prevent it from spitting dust back at you).
✔️ Turn off the power at the circuit breaker.
✔️ Remove the fan cover—it usually pops right off.
✔️ Wipe down the cover with a damp cloth.
✔️ Use a brush or vacuum to clean dust from the actual fan.
✔️ Let everything dry completely before reattaching.
It's easy, right? By following these simple tips, you can keep your home's drains and exhaust fans clean and functioning properly.
Happy cleaning!
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Products I used to tackle this week’s home care challenge:
A week to reset, wrap up unfinished tasks, and make space for what’s next.