To unclog a sink, you can follow these effective methods:
Natural and Simple Methods
1. Boiling Water
- Pour a kettle or pot of boiling water down the drain in stages. This helps dissolve soap scum and minor clogs
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar
- Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain.
- Follow with a cup of white vinegar.
- Cover the drain to contain the fizzing reaction and wait 30 minutes to an hour.
- Flush with boiling water to clear loosened debris
3. Baking Soda and Salt
- Mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of salt.
- Pour into the drain, wait 15 minutes, then flush with boiling water
Mechanical Methods
4. Using a Plunger
- Use a sink plunger (smaller than a toilet plunger).
- Fill the sink with 3–4 inches of water.
- Place the plunger over the drain and plunge vigorously for several minutes.
- Cover any adjacent drains with a wet rag to maintain pressure
5. Cleaning the P-Trap
- Place a bucket under the U-shaped pipe (P-trap) beneath the sink.
- Loosen the slip nuts and remove the trap.
- Clean out any debris inside, then reassemble and check for leaks
6. Using a Drain Snake
- For tougher clogs, use a drain snake to break up or pull out the blockage
Additional Tips
- Avoid using harsh chemical drain cleaners due to toxicity and potential pipe damage.
- Never put your hand inside a garbage disposal; use tongs to retrieve objects
- If DIY methods fail or clogs persist, call a professional plumber as it may indicate a serious problem
These steps cover most common sink clogs and can be done with household items and simple tools
