A siphon is the small nook under your sink or shower that retains some of the water. This water acts like a natural plug, preventing odors from rising from the pipes. But when it evaporates—especially in summer or when you’re away for several days—the most unpleasant odors escape.
That’s exactly what happened to me in this well-kept studio. When I opened the door, a strong sewage odor hit me. The kitchen was spotless, but a veritable odor invasion had wafted in from the sink.
The quick fix: a simple jet of water… and you’re done!
Fortunately, the solution is surprisingly simple. All I had to do was turn on the faucet for a few seconds. The trap filled, and as if by magic, the foul odors disappeared.
But be careful: prevention is better than cure. So here are the two things I now systematically do before I go away, even for a weekend.
Tip #1: A sheet of paper… and a glass!
Forget the common misconception that you should pour oil down the sink to slow water evaporation. When the oil dries, it becomes sticky and can clog your pipes, promoting blockages and bad odors.
Instead, I simply place a sheet of paper over the sink opening. This creates a soft barrier that limits evaporation. And to make it even better, I place a glass (or a small plate) on top. This duo of paper and glass acts like a homemade lid: simple, economical and
Really effective.
Tip #2: Never completely empty the toilet
Another common mistake: completely emptying the toilet tank before leaving. The owner of the apartment I lived in did this. Bad idea: The rubber seals dried out without water. Result? A leak when restarting.
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