The Best Way to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain

The bathroom sink drain can be difficult to effectively clean. Learn how to clean your bathroom sink effectively and efficiently here.

Is your faucet backing up and leaving a lingering odor in your bathroom? A blocked sink can be a major problem and a disgusting one at that. All of us will encounter it at some point, but luckily there are a number of methods that can be used to fix it.

From liquid cleaners to snaking tools, at least one of the many methods is bound to work on your plumbing problems. Read on for our must-know guide on how to clean your bathroom sink drain.

Chemical Cleaners for a Bathroom Sink Drain

The first method you may consider is using an over the counter drain unblocker. They are easy to come by and are generally very effective. Each will have its own designated methods for use, which you should follow carefully.

While chemical cleaners do work, many people prefer to try other methods first. This is because chemical cleaners are very powerful, and are not ideal to have sitting around the house. In addition, they can be particularly harmful to the environment.

Tools for Cleaning a Bathroom Sink

There are a number of tools and devices you can use to clean a sink. The most common is the household plunger. This works by creating a vacuum seal, which sucks the blockage out of position to dislodge it.

To use a plunger, all you need to do is place the head around the entrance to the drain. Push down firmly, ensuring the rubber head has created a seal. Vigorously push the plunger up and down, and you should hear some gurgling noises as the dirt and grime start to shift.

Another method that you can use is the wire hanger. While not specifically designed for unclogging pipes, it can be a very effective method.

Straighten out the hanger, keeping the hook on the end. This is the part that should go down the drain, and you can feed it in using the rest of the hanger. You should then be able to hook any blockages and bring them to the surface.

If using this method, be wary not to push anything down, further into the sink. This can compact the blockage and make it even harder to shift.

Using a Drain Snake

A drain snake is a tool designed specifically for unclogging drains and pipes. It is a long, flexible shaft that can snake and contour around pipes and bends, unlodging blockages as it goes. It is very easy to use but may be more expensive than other methods as you have to purchase the snake itself.

Place the drain snake down your drain or sink. Gently push it as far as you can, until you meet with some resistance. This will be your blockage.

Turn the snake clockwise until the blockage moves, then carry on feeding the drain snake into the pipe. Whenever you meet more resistance, turn the handle to unblock. When you pull the snake out, the blockages should come with it.

Creating a Natural Solution

If you do not want to use chemical cleaners to unclog your drain, there are a number of more natural solutions you can use. These are often easy to prepare, and all they will take is a little extra time to have an effect.

The first method is to use just plain old boiling water, straight from the kettle. It will only work on certain blockages, mainly ones built up from soap and scum. If you already have water sitting in the sink or above the blockage, this method will not work as the hot water will not reach its intended target.

All you need to do is bring the kettle to a boil. While the water is still boiling, pour it down the drain or sink. You should do this three or four times, waiting a bit for it to take effect.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Both baking soda and vinegar are well known for their cleaning properties. The best thing is that they are both natural, and won’t harm the environment once they go down the drains. They are also very effective at solving a slow draining bathroom sink.

Begin by mixing one-third of baking soda with one-third of vinegar in a measuring cup. As soon as this happens, the mix will start to fizz. This reaction is what will destroy the blockage, so you need to pour it down the sink or drain immediately.

Once this happens, you should leave it sit for about an hour. Flush it out with warm water and see if that has improved the blockage. Repeat the process if the drain is partially unblocked and just needs a little more solution.

Baking Soda and Salt

If you do not have vinegar, then you can replace it in the mixture with salt. For this, you will need to create an equal half and half mix of both substances. You will not get the fizz associated with baking soda and vinegar, but you should still pour it down the blocked pipe or vent immediately.

Leave it in for about fifteen minutes, then flush with boiling water. Repeat the process if the blockage persists.

Wet and Dry Vacuum

Using a vacuum takes a little more preparation but can be extremely effective. Firstly, you will need to create a seal for your vacuum. You can use the head of a plunger or the top of a plastic bottle and tape it around the end of the vacuum. Then place the vacuum over the drain or sink you wish to unblock.

Set the vacuum to its highest setting on the liquids function and turn it on. The suction should be able to pull up even stubborn blockages in your bathroom sink.

Prevention

Regularly cleaning hair, soap, and scum from your bathroom sink drain will prevent major mishaps. Add this to-do to your cleaning schedule and you can avoid clogs in your drains.I

If you are still having plumbing problems after trying to fix it yourself, it’s time to contact Eyman Plumbing Heating & Air. We are experts in fixing pipes, drain cleaning, and HVAC systems. Call (402) 731-2727 today for an experienced plumber in Omaha, Nebraska.