Sprinkling bicarbonate of soda around the shower drain: a simple cleaning trick

Sprinkling bicarbonate of soda around the shower drain has become a reliable little hack for anyone who likes a fresh-smelling bathroom that’s easy to keep clean, with minimal effort and without spending much. The shower drain ends up catching leftover soap, conditioner, hair, body grime and foam that doesn’t fully wash away. Bicarbonate of soda helps loosen that built-up layer, cutting down unpleasant smells and making everyday cleaning much simpler.

Why does using bicarbonate of soda around the shower drain help with cleaning?

Bicarbonate of soda has a mild “scrubbing” effect, which helps lift body oils, shampoo and conditioner residue, soap scum and the crusty film that can leave the floor looking dull. It also neutralises odours and reaches the inner edge of the drain, helping to reduce that odd smell that sometimes drifts up from the pipework.

It won’t replace a strong disinfectant, but it works very well for day-to-day upkeep, leaving the shower enclosure looking cleaner, the floor with more shine and the room feeling fresher. In many bathrooms, regular use alone makes a noticeable difference, especially in damp areas that mark and stain easily.

How do you apply bicarbonate of soda around the shower drain properly?

For this tip to genuinely work, how you use it matters more than how much you use. In most cases, a thin layer shaped like a ring around the drain cover is enough to target the key area, preventing waste and avoiding piles of powder on the shower floor.

Here’s a straightforward step-by-step you can add to your cleaning routine without fuss:

• Leave the floor slightly damp, not soaking wet, so the bicarbonate doesn’t dissolve too quickly.
• Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda all the way around the drain, as if you were seasoning.
• Create a circle 5 to 10 cm wide around the cover, making sure the whole area is well coated.
• Leave it for a few minutes, then lightly scrub with a brush or sponge and rinse.

How long should you leave bicarbonate of soda on the drain, and how can you boost the effect?

Letting bicarbonate of soda sit for 15 to 30 minutes is usually enough to soften grime, reduce odours and make rinsing easier. While you wait, you can clean other parts of the bathroom, then come back to finish the shower area, rinsing thoroughly until no powder remains.

If the smell is strong or there’s a lot of built-up residue, you can strengthen the treatment by pouring a little white vinegar over the bicarbonate of soda and leaving it for about 10 minutes. This combination foams, shifts more debris and reaches spots a brush may not get to as easily. However, delicate surfaces-such as some natural stone-mean it’s best to check the manufacturer’s guidance before using vinegar frequently.

How often should you use bicarbonate of soda in the shower drain for good results?

The key to keeping the shower enclosure clean, odour-free and looking well cared for is using bicarbonate of soda consistently. In many homes, applying it once a week around the drain already helps a lot to prevent build-up and smells, especially in heavily used bathrooms.

In households with a larger family or very frequent use, it’s worth doing a more thorough clean every 15 days or once a month, including a longer scrub and-if needed-a vinegar boost. Pairing this habit with simple actions, such as removing hair from the drain after showering and avoiding overuse of very oily products in the shower, helps protect the floor, prevent dark marks and keep the bathroom feeling fresher and better maintained.