How To Unclog A Sink Drain With Baking Soda & Vinegar

Most households use their kitchen sink daily but must remember to take care of the kitchen drains.

Consequently, food waste gets collected, and you have the problem of clogged drains. So, you look for ways to unclog the drain and may even hire a plumber, costing you money. However, before you get professional help, there are DIY solutions you can consider.

In this article, you will learn how to unclog a sink drain with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar. We have also gathered other natural ways you can unclog a drain, so make sure you read till the end!

How To Unclog Sink With Baking Soda And Vinegar Solution

We often run to grab commercial drain cleaners when there is a drain clog. These chemical drain cleaners are effective, but they could be better for the long-term health of the plumbing system.

Therefore, use a natural homemade drain cleaner to protect your kitchen drain and be more eco-friendly. One of the easiest and quickest methods of unclogging your drains is using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. It is all-natural, and you only must mix the ingredients and warm water.

Here is a step-by-step guide on preparing the vinegar and baking soda mixture and unclogging your drain.

Step 1 - Pour Boiling Water

First, clear any standing water in the sink and pour a cup of boiling water into the unplugged clogged drain.

Step 2 - Add Baking Soda And Vinegar

Next, carefully pour half a cup of baking soda and the same amount of vinegar into the clogged drain.

Step 3 - Pour Hot Water

Let the baking soda and vinegar mixture sit for a few minutes. Then, slowly pour hot water into the clogged drain.

Step 4 - Waiting

After you do all that, close the drain plug. Then, wait a few minutes for the eco-friendly drain cleaner to work.

Step 5 - Finishing It Up

After 5 to 10 minutes of waiting, pour another pot of hot water into the clogged drain. Then, wait a minute and flush down the drain with tap water.

Some Other Natural Ways To Clean Your Clogged Drains

Instead of chemical drain cleaners, other natural drain cleaners can be used to clean clogged drains. These are some eco-friendly drain cleaners that you can give a try:

1. Cream Of Tartar

Other than using baking soda and vinegar, you can try using a mixture of cream of tartar and baking soda for stubborn clogs. Combine two cups of baking soda with two tablespoons of cream of tartar along with ½ a cup of salt. After that, shake the mixture in a jar and pour hot water into the drain.

After that, add the mixture of baking soda, cream of tartar and salt into the drain opening. Wait for the homemade concoction to work on the clog and clean the pipe. Let it sit for at least an hour, then pour boiling water into the drain.

2. Borax, Salt, And Vinegar

You can also try this homemade drain cleaner to unclog your drains. Make a mixture of ¼ a cup of salt, the same amount of borax, and ½ a cup of vinegar. You can then slowly pour the mixture into the drain.

After that, add a pot of boiling water into the drain and leave the mixture to work for at least an hour. Then, you can use hot tap water to clean the drain and sink.

3. Dish Washing Soap

Sometimes, your drains get clogged because grease freezes inside the pipes. You can try the dish soap and hot water mixture when that happens. Start by adding two tablespoons of dish soap and mix it with a pot of boiling water. Then, pour the mixture into the drain and wait a few minutes to see your drain unclog.

Wondering how this simple mixture works? The boiling hot water melts the cold grease, and the soap pushes the liquid oil out of the drain pipe. Quick and easy!

4. Drain Snake

Lastly, you can unclog drains with a drain snake. It is a tool that plumbers use to clean drains and is made of a metal coil attached to a handle. Generally, drain snakes can be as long as 25 feet. At the other end, the coil is attached to a screw-like tip that helps in unclogging.

So, to unclog drains, take one of these tools and remove your sink drain cover. Then, slowly push the coil into the drain until you feel the blockage. Once you find the clog, turn the coil around so the screw-like end can grab the materials blocking the pipe. Pull the coil back slowly and carefully when you feel you have a good grip.

Some Tips On Sink Drain Maintenance

Now that you have learned about natural drain cleaners like baking soda and vinegar solutions, you should know how to regularly maintain and clean your drains. Here are some tips you can follow:

• Never use the sink drain as a garbage disposal, which will cause a drain clog.
• Do not throw solid objects like eggshells, coffee grounds, and other food waste into the drain.
• You should never pour oil into the drain as it can freeze inside the pipe and cause a blockage.
• Remember to pour boiling water into the drain to clear it regularly.
• Once every month, try to pour the boiling water and dish soap mixture into the drain.
• Alternatively, use any DIY drain cleaners as and when required.
• In your bathroom sink and shower drain, use a drain trap to collect hair (mixed with soap scum) so that it does not get into the drain and cause blockages.

Follow these instructions to remove clogs and prevent blockages in your sink drain. Remember - prevention is always better than cure!

Get Your Sink Drain Unclogged!

As we conclude this informative piece, you should remember that a commercial drain cleaner has harmful chemicals and can damage your PVC pipes. So, always use natural drain cleaners like vinegar and baking soda mixture.

But sometimes, the clog in your drains may be beyond these natural fixes and require professional help. As such, homemade drain cleaners, like the ones mentioned above, may be unable to unclog your drains.

When that happens, fret not and contact WP Plumbing. At WP Plumbing, we have experienced plumbers with the latest equipment to fix your blocked drains. We also provide 24/7 service so you can call us anytime, and we will be available.

From unclogging sink drains to fixing blocked toilets - no job is too challenging for us because we’ve got the experts! So, follow the instructions mentioned above to unclog your drains, but if that does not work, call us immediately!