Ways to Unclog a Kitchen Sink Drain
4 Materials
$6
30 Minutes
Easy
It can be a helpless feeling when the kitchen sink won’t drain. With water backing up and a counter full of dirty dishes waiting to be cleaned. It always seems to happen at the worst times!
It may be tempting to reach for the phone and dial the plumber. Before you do, read these easy, do-it-yourself ways to unclog that drain and give them a try.
Boiling WaterThis is the easiest and least expensive solution of all, which makes it the best one to try first. Place a pot of water on the stove and bring to a rolling boil. While you’re waiting for the water to heat, remove as much standing water from the sink as you can, using a mug or small pot to bail out the water. Then, pour the entire kettle of water into the sink and wait. If the water stands in the sink and the clog doesn’t move, give the water time to cool and remove it to try again. You may need to repeat the process several times to move the clog, but this has worked several times for me.
DisposalIf you have a disposal - Check to make sure it’s not your garbage disposal that's causing the problem. A clogged disposal can stop up the drain, run the disposal to see if that clears the clog. Then check to make sure it’s running correctly. If the disposal has overheated, you may need to flip the switch found on the side or bottom of the unit underneath the sink. Salt and Boiling WaterAfter removing standing water from the sink, pour about 1/2 cup of table salt down the drain before you pour in the boiling water. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then flush with hot water to clear the mixture. This has worked for me once.
Vinegar and Baking Soda Remove standing water first. Pour about a cup or so of baking soda into the drain, followed by an equal amount of white or apple cider vinegar. The solution will bubble, but when they subside, put the stopper in and wait about 15 minutes. Next, run hot water to see if the clog clears. Repeat if needed. This works really good for me.
Baking Soda and SaltThis is another combination that can work on sink clogs. Mix about 1 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup of salt, and pour down the drain. Let the mixture sit for several hours, then flush with boiling water. You can repeat this process if it doesn’t work the first time.
Plunger If these combinations aren’t successful in unclogging your sink, reach for a common household plunger. If you have a double sink, first seal off the second side with a wet cloth or a stopper. You’ll need to create a tight seal around the plunger, so fill the side of the sink you intend to plunge with enough water to cover the bell of the plunger. Place the plunger firmly over the drain and plunge vigorously several times. When you hear the suction clear the clog, remove the plunger and flush the drain well with warm water. This will work every time any of the other suggestions don't!
To keep your sink smelling fresh and running clear, pour in equal parts of vinegar and baking soda on a regular basis. For routine cleaning, you’ll just need about 1/2 cup of each. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before running some warm water down the drain. You can also use lemon juice for the same purpose.For more tips and photos check out my blog ♥
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Comments
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3 of 9 comments
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Boil the vinegar then pour it down the sink full of baking soda . It will unclog the worst of clogs
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These are very good ideas. And it can also work for a frozen bath tub drain. I just used baking soda let it set for a bit then some vinegar in and it's unclogged. Works great for many things.
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