If your pipes are PVC or plastic, 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celcius) is the hottest temperature water you can pour down the drain to prevent damage.
Adding a bit of dish soap to the hot water can help to break down grease in the pipes.
You can flush the drain with hot water on a weekly basis to keep it clean.
To prevent a smelly drain, you can deodorize it with baking soda and hot vinegar on a weekly basis.
Most of these cleaners take 24 hours or more to clean the drain. They may not clean out any mineral deposits in the drain.
If you are worried about sustaining damage to the drain, you may want to contact a plumber.
If you notice bad smells regularly from your kitchen drain, and you have old metal drain pipes under the sink, replacing them with PVC may solve the problem. Slick PVC pipes won’t clog as easily, since food and grease will have a harder time sticking. You can look for a plumber in your area online or in your local newspaper. You can also ask friends or neighbors for recommendations on a good plumber in the area.
