Idea #1: Baking Soda and Vinegar to Unclog Drains Naturally
This is my go-to method for clearing a sluggish drain at home, not only because it’s quick and easy, but also because the ingredients you need can be found in your kitchen pantry. It also kind of reminds me of those fun volcano science experiments we used to do as kids. What you’ll need:
- ½ cup baking soda
- ½ cup white vinegar (any kind will work but don’t waste your fancy ones on this)
- A drain stopper
- 4-5 cups of boiling water
Directions for unclogging your drain:
- Pour the baking soda down the clogged drain.
- Add the vinegar and immediately cover the drain with the drain stopper to give the baking soda and vinegar a chance to foam up and settle.
- Let the vinegar and baking soda hang out in the drain for 30 minutes or so.
- Meanwhile, boil a pot of water
- After 30 minutes, pour your boiling water down the drain.
Idea #2: Plunge Your Drain—No Chemicals Needed
Most people know about plunging their sink when it clogs, but few people know how to do it correctly. It takes a little more effort than plunging a toilet but it can be really effective. What you’ll need:
- A toilet plunger
- A wet rag
- Petroleum jelly
Directions for plunging your clogged drain:
- Unscrew the pop-up drain in your sink if it has one.
- Stuff the wet rag into the overflow drain to seal it up.
- Turn on the faucet and run some water.
- Apply a little bit of petroleum jelly around the lip of the plunger to improve the seal.
- Place the plunger over the drain and plunge.
- Repeat until the gunk comes up and the sink starts to drain.
Idea #3: Clean the Clogged Pipe
This is a method that is best performed by people with a little bit of plumbing knowledge or experience. It is relatively easy to do in most cases, but I should warn you that it can get messy and nasty pretty quickly, so brace yourself. I’d definitely recommend trying the other ideas above before you give this one a shot. And if you don’t feel up to doing it yourself, call a plumbing pro and they’ll happily do it for you. What you’ll need:
- A plumber’s wrench
- A bucket
- An old toothbrush
Directions for cleaning out a clogged drain:
- Put the bucket underneath the p-trap (the U-shaped pipe beneath your sink).
- Loosen the slip nuts at both ends of the p-trap using your trusty plumber’s wrench.
- Slowly remove the p-trap and turn it upside down into the bucket to empty its contents.
- Use the old toothbrush or a drain snake to help get out any stubborn debris.
- Give the p-trap a good rinse in the bathtub, making sure it is clear, and install it back under the sink. Make sure those nuts are tight!
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