Picture this: you return from a wonderful vacation only to be greeted by a funky smell in your kitchen and tiny ants marching across your countertop. The culprit? Your innocent-looking sink drain. When water in the drain trap evaporates during extended absences, it creates an open invitation for odors and pests.
The fix is brilliantly simple and costs nothing. After cleaning your sink, place a dry paper towel over the drain opening and secure it with an upside-down glass. This combination works better than conventional sink plugs because it doesn’t rely on a perfect seal – the glass’s weight keeps everything in place while completely covering the drain opening.
For best results, do this in every sink before leaving home. The bathroom sink and even bidets can benefit from this protection. When you return, simply remove the glass (which may have collected some condensation) and toss the paper towel. Your home will smell fresh, and you won’t be sharing it with any uninvited insect guests.
