A How-to Guide on Cleaning Your Sink Drain

Do you have a slow draining sink? It can drive anyone crazy because no one wants a slow draining sink. When the water takes its time to drain, it means that your drain is clogged and needs to be cleaned. Luckily, there are many ways to complete this task without grabbing harsh chemicals.

It’s best not to use harsh chemicals because professionals say they can ruin your pipes and the environment. That is why it’s better to use cleaning products that are recommended when commercial cleaning your drain.

This post is going to break down how to clean your sink drains, so your sink is draining properly.

Materials

This is a list of materials that you may need to clean your sink drains:

• Boiling water
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Enzyme drain cleaner
• Stinky drain solution
• Plunger

Different Ways to Clean & Maintain Your Sink Drain

Hot Water

One of the best ways to avoid getting into this situation is by pouring boiling water down your sink drain at least once a week. The reason for doing this is that it can help prevent any build-up in the pipe, so you are less likely to have a clogged drain.

Vinegar

Another method to keep up with maintenance is pouring a cup of vinegar down the drain. Let the vinegar sit for around 30 minutes. Afterwards, pour two quarts of boiling water down the drain, so the vinegar is rinsed out. The last thing you want is to have a strong smell of vinegar coming from your sinks.

Enzyme Drain Cleaner

Go to a local home hardware store and look for an enzyme drain cleaner. These are also great to use because they are made up of components that can help with maintaining your sink drain. The enzymes can break down a lot of build-ups that are found in pipes.

Before using it, read the instructions and pour the recommended amount down the drain. These cleaners usually only need to be used once a month, but check the instructions to be on the safe side.

Cold Water for Grease

When it comes to kitchen sinks, grease is a terrible culprit for clogged drains. That is why it is recommended that you scrape your dishes well and rinse them with cold water before placing them in your dishwasher. This is because this can keep the grease solid, so it can move through the drainpipes.

However, warm water emulsifies grease. That means, as it begins to cool throughout its travel through the pipes, it can solidify as it cools and begin to coat the inside of the drain line. Over time, this is going to cause build-up and stoppage of anything else passing through the pipes.

Do You Have a Stinky Drain?

Sometimes with a clogged drain, it can become stinky. That’s never nice to have in your home because no one wants to smell all the contents that have travelled through your pipes. That is why using half a cup of baking soda and two quarts of hot water can eliminate that smell.

Baking soda is excellent for all forms of cleaning, especially sink drains. It can absorb all the odours, which is why it can help get rid of that stinky smell. There are also specialized products to help with a smelly drain. Go to a home hardware store and see what is available.

Also, always remember to read the label on any cleaning products you buy because it is going to tell you how to use them properly and efficiently.

How to Unclog Your Drain

Very Hot Water

When your drain is clogged, using your sink can be very frustrating. However, there are also some ways to combat a clogged sink. One of those ways is to leave boiling water in your sink for one to two hours. The pressure and the weight from the water can clear a clogged sink in some cases.

Plunger

Another way is to use a plunger. Using a plunger on your sink can help unclog your drain, so the water can pass through easily.

Grease Clog

If it is a kitchen sink and you are worried about the clog being from grease, you will need vinegar and boiling water. You are going to want to mix them and pour them down the sink.

Give the solution a few minutes to work, and then use a plunger. There is a possibility that you are going to have to do this a few times to unclog your sink.

How to Specifically Clean Your Bathroom Sink Drain

Bathroom sink drains can all be cleaned and maintained with the same methods that are previously mentioned. However, the only difference is that there is probably hair in your bathroom sink, so it’s essential to get that out when cleaning your drain.

Go to a home hardware store and pick up one of the many devices that can be used to take hair out of drains. If you can’t get your hands on one, then grab a metal coat hanger and straighten it out before creating a hook on one end. After your device is ready, place it down the drain and pull it back out.

There is going to be a lot of hair and gunk when you pull the device out, so have a bag ready to throw it in there because it is also going to stink. After it’s all come out, run your hot water so the drain has a chance to clean itself.

Also, remember to clean your pop-up stoppers. Lift them out of the drain, remove any contents from it, and scrub away all the gunk. Afterwards, rinse it and put it back.

Conclusion

Sink drains need to be cleaned and maintained regularly. Otherwise, they can cause a lot of problems. The last thing you want is a drain that smells because you have not cleaned it properly.

That is why, after doing a deep clean, maintain your sink with hot water and vinegar. It’s a simple way to keep your drains lasting longer.

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