A slow or blocked drain is usually caused by a buildup of hair, grease, or soap. Most clogs clear with simple tools and household items before you ever need to call a plumber.
What you'll need
- Plunger
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Boiling water
- Gloves
- A drain snake or bent wire (optional)
Step by step
- Clear away standing waterBail out most of any pooled water with a cup so you can work on the drain directly. Remove the stopper or drain cover if it lifts out.
- Pull out visible debrisPut on gloves and remove any hair or gunk you can reach near the opening. A bent piece of wire or a plastic drain tool can hook out clumps just below the surface.
- Try a plungerFill the basin with a little water to cover the plunger cup, seal it over the drain, and push down and pull up firmly several times to break the clog loose.
- Use baking soda and vinegarPour about half a cup of baking soda into the drain, follow with the same amount of white vinegar, and let it fizz for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen grease and grime.
- Flush with hot waterRinse the drain with a kettle of boiling water to wash away the loosened material. Repeat the process if the water still drains slowly.
- Snake a stubborn clogIf it is still blocked, feed a drain snake into the pipe, turn it to grip the blockage, and pull it back out to remove what is stuck deeper down.
Handy tips
- Fit a mesh strainer over the drain to catch hair and food scraps and prevent future clogs.
- Run hot water down kitchen drains after washing greasy dishes to keep fat from hardening in the pipe.
- A monthly baking soda and hot water flush helps keep drains flowing freely.
Heads up
- Avoid chemical drain cleaners, especially with a plunger, since splashback can burn skin and eyes and the fumes are harmful.
- Do not pour boiling water into porcelain fixtures or PVC pipes that may crack; use hot tap water instead for those.
- If the clog affects multiple drains or backs up sewage, stop and call a plumber, as the problem may be in the main line.
FAQ
Why is baking soda and vinegar recommended over chemicals?
It is safer for your pipes, your skin, and the environment, and it handles most grease and organic clogs. Harsh chemicals can damage pipes and are dangerous to handle.
My plunger isn't working. What now?
Try the baking soda and vinegar method, then a drain snake to reach deeper clogs. If nothing works, the blockage may be too far down for home tools and needs a plumber.
How do I stop drains from clogging again?
Use a drain strainer to catch hair and food, avoid pouring grease down the sink, and flush drains with hot water regularly.