First, run the cold water for a few minutes. Flush out the stagnant stuff. If the smell goes away, it was just stale water sitting in pipes.
If the hot water smells but cold doesn’t, your water heater is the problem. Raise the temperature to 140°F (60°C) for an hour. That kills the bacteria. Then lower it back to 120°F to save energy.
You can also install a special filter. An activated carbon filter works wonders. It’s like a Brita for stinky water. Or try an aerator attachment that oxidizes the sulfur.
Here’s a weird trick: dump a packet of dry yeast down the drain. Seriously. Yeast eats the sulfur compounds and neutralizes the smell. It’s a science experiment you can drink from later.
When to Call the Pros
If the smell doesn’t stop, it might be in the groundwater itself. Some wells naturally have sulfur. But in a city apartment, it’s almost always the pipes.
Your landlord is responsible. Send them a polite email with a whiff of your water. Or leave a glass of tap water in the hallway—they’ll get the message.
One last fun fact: rotten-egg water can actually stain your sinks. The sulfur reacts with silver and copper, turning them black. Your shiny faucet might look like a pirate’s treasure. Arrr, matey.
