Being a homeowner means coming face to face with clogged drains. It’s just a part of owning a house. Unclogging a kitchen sink drain is often much easier than most people think. However, this means investing some time and effort fixing the problem yourself. Most clogs can be resolved by applying some relatively simple and straightforward techniques and tools. Often, people make the mistake of reaching for a liquid drain cleaner, not knowing there are much better ways to unclog a drain, and ones that won’t hurt your pipes—all using things you already have around the house.
Methods to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink Drain
Boil Water
Simply boil water in a pot. Once it’s ready, pour it down the clogged drain in shifts, waiting a few seconds in between each rinsing to let the hot water go to work dislodging and flushing away gunk and grime. You may have to repeat the process a couple of times to completely unblock the drain, but this easy and inexpensive tip works on most blockages.
Wire Hanger
Another simple but effective way to unclog a drain is by using a wire hanger from your closet. Grab a hanger, straighten it out as much as you can, then curl one end into a small hook. Fish that end into the drain. This will allow the hook to catch around the hair and other gunk built up inside. Pull the hanger out, clean off the hook, and snake it down the drain until it stops pulling things up. When you’re done, run hot water through the drain to clear out any remaining debris.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Mix together 1/3 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of vinegar. When combined, baking soda and vinegar work similarly to liquid drain cleaner but aren’t as harsh on your pipes. The result will fizz almost immediately. It’s important that you pour it down your clogged drain right away so you don’t lose the effects of that reaction. Let everything sit for at least an hour. If possible, leave it overnight for the best result before flushing the drain with hot water.
Baking Soda and Salt
Similar to the tip above, the combination of baking soda and salt can help unclog a drain. The two create a chemical reaction that can help clear up even the worst of blockages. Mix 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of baking soda and pour it into your clogged pipe. Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes, then follow with boiling water to rinse everything away.