I always pour sunflower oil into the sink when I leave home. The result is always pleasing.

I always pour sunflower oil into the sink when I leave home. The result is always pleasing.

Recently, a neighbor shared with me an unexpected, but very curious piece of advice. He said: “When you leave, pour sunflower oil into the sink – it will help.” I looked at him with a smile, but his face was as serious as ever.

Why oil, and why pour it into the sink?

Everyone is familiar with the situation when you return home after a long absence and inhale an unpleasant smell. At first you think that the problem is in the refrigerator or leftover food, but the real reason is deeper – in the pipes and sewerage. This is where my neighbor’s advice comes into play.

All pipes leading from the sinks and bathtubs are connected to the common sewerage system. To prevent sewage odors from penetrating into apartments, a special system is provided – a water seal or a water plug. This system works as long as there is water in the pipes. When the water dries up, especially if you have left for several weeks, unpleasant odors from the sewerage system begin to penetrate into the apartment. To prevent this from happening, just pour a little vegetable oil into the sink before leaving.

How does this method work?

Oil, unlike water, does not evaporate. It creates a thin protective layer that prevents the water in the siphon from drying out and also coats the walls of the pipes, preventing the spread of odors.

I had a chance to check this in practice when I went on vacation to Alupka for a week. I poured about 2/3 cup of sunflower oil into the kitchen sink and bathroom, as my neighbor advised. You can also cover the holes with a plug or a rag for additional protection.