In that case, use bleach to clean and disinfect the pipes and dissolve clogs. To clean a kitchen drain, you can flush it with hot water or deodorize it with baking soda and white vinegar. Monthly use of the enzyme drain cleaners can prevent clogs from forming. Clean the drain every time you wash dishes to maintain it once it's clean. Dismantle and Clean your Kitchen Waste Pipes. The best way to keep your sinks clean, is to keep your drains clear. Allow the pipes to drain into a bowl or a small bucket. This article was co-authored by Chris Willatt. Start to clean your drains with a cup full of baking soda – a cheap multipurpose product found in your local grocery store. Start by boiling 3 cups (710 ml) of water in a kettle or in a pot over the stove. The boiling water should flush the remaining grease from your pipe. Last Updated: May 16, 2020 If you have a garbage disposal, always run cold water down the drain while you use it to flush the ground-up food down and out of the drain pipe. Dissolve Clog with a Baking Soda Mixture A baking soda mixture offers a way to unclog a sink naturally, as it proves gentler on your pipes compared to chemical drain openers. The job requires ingredients that combine to dissolve the buildup without requiring you to take apart the drain. If you notice bad smells regularly from your kitchen drain, and you have old metal drain pipes under the sink, replacing them with PVC may solve the problem. You need to either get a 1 ½ or 1 ¼ inches tailpipe to be able to connect to it. In this article, we’ll show you how to unclog a kitchen sink using a plunger and drain snake to clear up all but the most stubborn drain clogs. Advertisement. Note: We show plastic drain lines, but many older kitchen sinks have metal traps and pipes. For example, if you keep a box of open baking soda in your refrigerator to absorb odors, use the old baking soda to flush your kitchen drain when it comes time to change the box. Slick PVC pipes won't clog as easily, since food and grease will have a harder time sticking. Remember the 1:2 ratio: one part baking soda to two parts white vinegar. Once it has a significant time, clear it with a pot of boiling water. Pour the vinegar and water mixture after the baking soda, then close the drain with its plug. Otherwise, you will eventually have a clogged drain that does not empty properly. Run hot water through your garbage disposal after use to wash away excess debris. The water can be boiling hot if you have metal pipes; if they are plastic, use hot tap water to avoid damaging them. Let that sit for a few minutes. How to Deodorize Smelly Kitchen and Bathroom Drains. By using our site, you agree to our. Chris Willatt, the owner of Alpine Maids, says: "The rubber gasket that's in your sink drain can get pretty dirty, which can lead to unpleasant smells. Enzyme drain cleaners are a natural and eco-friendly way to clean pipes, drains and prevent clogs. How to clean and unclog a kitchen sink. They are used to clean almost everything. This can make the drain smell bad and lead to clogged pipes in your kitchen. Once a month, flush kitchen drains with salt and boiling water. Often, a bad drain smell is the result of clogged hair and gunk stuck in the p-trap of the plumbing, resulting in foul sink, bathroom drain, and shower smells. Plumber’s snake is Sewer gases: Empty P-traps allow sewer gases to rise from the drain. METHOD 6 USE A PLUMBER’S SNAKE. Place a sink strainer over the drain, so large food particles don't wash down the pipe, and empty the strainer frequently. Reach behind the drain pipe under the sink to find the pop-up nut. You may need to repeat either treatment several times depending on how bad the clog is. If you'd rather not use strong chemicals such as bleach, you can get equally good results with non-toxic, environmentally friendly household products. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. % of people told us that this article helped them. Wait 5 to 10 minutes and boil another kettle of water during this time. You can prevent kitchen drain clogs by keeping grease away from the pipes. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 42,555 times. These pests are especially a problem in areas that are humid year-round. Your pop up plug is most likely held in place with a nut attached to the drain just under the sink. They can either be hooked into the pivot rod that lifts them, or simply rest on it. Bring the water to boiling temperature (212 degrees Fahrenheit, 100 degrees Celsius). It's okay if some of the baking soda doesn't make it directly down the drain, as it can be washed down with the vinegar. DEAR MR. HandyPerson: My kitchen sink has two basins, one I use for washing dishes and the other for draining them. So what does the p-trap do? Otherwise, you will eventually have a clogged drain that does not empty properly. Be careful not to scratch your sink with the wire. Step 2: Microwave 1 cup of vinegar Vinegar disinfects and baking soda scours, so together they leave your sink pipes sanitary and free of debris. Use Baking Soda and Salt to Clean and Clear Your Drains To clean a white porcelain sink or any other type and to eliminate drain smells and clogs, mix one-half cup of salt with one-half cup of baking soda in a small bowl. Pro tip: Begin by sponging the water from the sink to reduce the flow under the sink when you pull off the trap. Kitchen sink drains tend to clog from oil and grease that solidify over time. You can look for a plumber in your area online or in your local newspaper. It’s really easy to make mistakes that will lead to clogged drains. The pipes under your kitchen sink have to funnel all kinds of sticky, greasy substances on a daily basis. If left untreated, a blocked drain can clog the entire pipe, preventing water from draining properly. Follow this guide to remove grease from your drain and save your home from water damage. Once a month, pour 12 ounces of chlorine bleach straight down the drain at the end of the day. Then, run HOT water to clear out the all of the loosened substances from the drain. Community Q&A Search. Alpine Maids has received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row since 2016 and has been awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018. While you may think that your bathroom is spotlessly clean, the odors from the sink may send a contrary message. He writes about life in the mountains, dogs, plants, and cooking. Get the snake into your sink drain. To neutralize the awful smell coming from your drain, mix 1 part of hot water and 1 part of bleach, then pour the mixture down the drain. F rom boiling hot water to DIY drain clearing solution, there’s a good chance you have the tools to keep your drains clean and clear right at home! You can also use this process as a regular maintenance method for your drains. The main sewer line is a large-diameter pipe that pipe that carries waste from every sink, toilet, and shower in your home, through branch drains that connect into it. Start by pouring boiling hot water down your drain then add ½ cup of baking soda. Go under the sink and place a bucket under the pipe to catch excess water ; Unscrew the connectors on the PVC pipe that holds the P-trap (the curved piece of pipe) to the vertical and horizontal drain pipe. The simplest fix could be as easy as boiling water—boil a medium-size pot once or twice per week, and pour down the drain. The p-trap is that curvy pipe underneath your kitchen sink or bathroom sink. The first and most important factor in preventing clogged drains … The enzymes work to remove buildup by eating through it. How a Main Clean-out Fitting Works . If you have a disposal and are noticing bad smells, you can get rid of it by running a mix of ice, coarse salt and lemon peels through it. Whenever your sink begins draining slowly or develops an odor, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the pipe and then add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar. Turn on the kitchen sink faucet to allow the flow of water. Stephanie Mitchell is a professional writer who has authored websites and articles for real estate agents, self-help coaches and casting directors. The P-trap is that curved pipe that you see beneath any sink in your home. A small buildup in your kitchen or bathroom sink pipe can slow your drainage to nothing. Advertisement . This article was co-authored by Chris Willatt. Follow along for our guide on how to prevent and treat a smelly bathroom sink drain. I used this combination for many years then I began to doubt its effectiveness. Pipe wrench; Drain snake; Auger; Procedure: How To Clean Kitchen Sink Drain. Pour the boiling water down the clogged drain pipe first, followed by the baking soda. Cleaning Sink Pipes: How to Clean Plumbing at Home. For best results do this a second time. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda in the drain and follow this with 1/2 cup of vinegar, then cover the drain for about 10 minutes to confine the foam to the pipe. Chris Willatt is the owner and founder of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015. Step Three: Clear Sludge or Clog. This tactic is mainly for the kitchen sink. If you have newer plumbing, with PVC or copper pipes, your sink drain can probably handle all this gunk -- but if you have older, narrower iron plumbing, the pipes are likely to clog more often. Use Chemical Drain Cleaner. The tougher the clog, the longer it needs to sit. How to Clear a Blocked Basin Waste Pipe. If you don't have a stopper in the sink, pour 3 to 4 cups of boiling water down the drain each week to dissolve grease buildup in the pipes. Start with the basics: Clean the sink with your usual cleaning solution, and use a pipe brush to scrub around and inside the drain. Kitchen Sink Clog Causes. After living in the city for 30 years, EC moved to the countryside. Food gets stuck at the curve of the drain under the sink where it's hard to reach with a hook, so try a plunger to clear it. Keep in mind: continuously using your bathroom sink, bathtub, or kitchen sink while knowing that there is a mess of black gunk in there will only build up the mass of the black gunk. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Then pour a cup of baking soda and an equal solution of vinegar and water (1 cup water, 1 cup vinegar). When you have buildup in the drain pipes, whether it be food residue in the kitchen sink drain or soap scum in the shower drain, you must remove it. First, empty your sink … "Specific steps how there is a bio-friendly drain cleaner. If you follow the steps of this article and still can’t clear the blockage, don’t hesitate to call in a plumber. Enter baking soda and vinegar. Think about everything you put down your kitchen sink, from dirty water to food waste from the garbage disposal. Most household drain clogs are caused by four substances.. P-traps are hidden in other areas of the house like your bathtub and toilet as well. Spray carefully at first, in case it backs up, and then turn up the pressure to ensure that you clean drain pipe build up. Chris Willatt is the owner and founder of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015. Clean or Replace the Waste Trap. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent and clean a bathroom sink drain. Let that sit for a few minutes. It is, therefore, advisable not to throw any food waste into the sink, no matter how small. If your sink isn't prone to clogs and doesn't develop musty odors, you can probably keep it clean using only water. Those smells may be due to the different items, such as hair and soap residues, which gradually build up inside the drain. Learning how to clean a kitchen sink drain with baking soda and vinegar is easy! You can also ask friends or neighbors for recommendations on a good plumber in the area. The chemical reaction between the two lines the pipes with a foam that will kill that fungus related stench. House Cleaning Professionals. Rinse with a gallon of hot water to which you've added 1/2 cup of salt. Be careful not to let the bleach sit in the bowl of the sink, especially if the sink is stainless steel. It takes at least 15 minutes to work. A slightly alkaline powder, it can dissolve mineral deposits and organic materials such as grease, which is slightly acidic i… When you're washing dishes, take that gasket out and put it in the dishwasher, then scrub around it with a soapy sponge.". If it won't reach the sink, use an adapter to connect it to the sink faucet. Once this happens, things can get very messy and smelly inside your kitchen. Step 1: Use baking soda to clean drains. As grease accumulates inside your drain, the water passage can constrict, causing liquids to overflow from your sink. For advice on cleaning your kitchen drain with commercial cleaners, keep reading. Drain grease can be a big problem in your home. Plumber’s snake is a flexible auger that is used for cleaning sink and bathtub drains. How to Unclog a Sink from Grease : Bottom Line. Hundreds of natural cleaning blog posts, books, and magazine columns recommend cleaning slow kitchen drains by pouring one cup of baking soda down the drain followed with one cup vinegar. As the fat becomes solid, it coats the inside of the pipes. When you notice that your bathroom sink is draining slowly, remove the stopper and clean it. This sluggish water movement leads to stagnant odors. Unfortunately, I have dealt with a clogged and smelly kitchen sink drain more than I would have liked to. Step 1 Rinse out the sink (both sides if it is a double sink) and allow each side to drain completely. Follow by pouring a mixture of 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup of boiling water again. It's better to put grease in a jar that you can throw away after it has solidified. Remove the pop up plug and give it a thorough clean before putting it back. Simply put 2 tablespoons of biological washing powder down the plughole and then flush through with boiling water. There is a small amount of water in the p-trap that blocks sewer gas from escaping as shown in the picture below, this can cause your drain to stink. Place the plunger over the drain such that the suction cup forms a vacuum. Pipes Under the Kitchen Sink (Photo courtesy by scttrknndy from Flickr) Importance of Plumbing Pipes. In only six simple steps, you can unclog a drain that no longer flows as freely as it once did. This DIY drain remedy is a great way to naturally clear your blocked drain in the kitchen or bathroom sink. In that case, use bleach to clean and disinfect the pipes and dissolve clogs. To prevent a smelly drain, you can deodorize it with baking soda and hot vinegar on a weekly basis. This makes a P-trap the number-one location of clogs in the sewer system. Let the mixture work for about 30 minutes, then use a plunger to break up any clogs. When your sink is clogged, draining slowly, or has a funky smell, it probably needs a good cleaning. When the sink is clear, you can try to unclog the drain using any of the following methods; 1. References. Of course, you can purchase chemical drain cleaners to dissolve any blockage in your pipes, but that may find its way out into the environment which cannot be a good thing. When we wash dishes, the water not only helps us get our dishes clean, but it also performs this flushing function. Don't clean the pipes with bleach if you have recently cleaned the sink with a product containing ammonia. If you are worried about sustaining damage to the drain, you may want to contact a plumber. The most likely culpit is probably hair. Plunger. The diameter of these drains is 2 inches. In Fox Valley Plumber, Kitchen Plumbing, Plumbing Pipes, Professional Plumbing Services, quality plumbing, Sewer and Drain 0. Pour in another kettleful of boiling water to thoroughly flush and clean the drain. Pour in the hydrogen peroxide and watch as the drain begins to fizz. Maintenance: Jones suggested pouring very hot water down the drain at least once a week. Alternatively, put 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, then boil 4 cups of white vinegar. When it comes to kitchen cleaning, not everybody realizes the importance of how to clean a kitchen sink drain. Insert it into the kitchen drain or stub pipe to push through or pull out the clog if you can reach it. Adding a bit of dish soap to the hot water can help to break down grease in the pipes. Question. Even if you have a garbage disposal, there are some substances you shouldn't pour down your kitchen sink. You may have a clog far down the drain line beyond your reach, or stuck objects in the pipes. After 5 minutes, pour 3 cups of cold water down the drain, then do a final flush with 3 cups of boiling water. Clean your drain with baking soda as soon as you notice the water is draining slowly. A bark sink drain is used when the bathroom sink endures heavy-duty usage, but not similar to a kitchen sink. She graduated from Syracuse University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater. Clogged vent pipes: When debris clogs drain vents, water can start to pool in the sink. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Sometimes water alone isn't enough to keep pipes clean, particularly if they are old or connected to your local sewage plant. We tend to have plumbing issues in our old home. People use their kitchen sinks a lot but overlook the importance of cleaning it, owing to their busy schedule. Once a month, pour 12 ounces of chlorine bleach straight down the drain at the end of the day. How to Remove Buildup in a Sink Pipe. Never force it down. Keep your pipes clean by controlling what you put in them and flushing them out when necessary. This article has been viewed 42,555 times. If your disposal is broken, either replace it or remove it, since a non-functional disposal will not be able to empty out rotten food. With your tools and instructions for your particular sink, unscrew pipes under your sink. Boil the water. First place the baking soda down the drain, followed by a slow pour of white vinegar. Major Systems; How To: Unclog a Sink Drain Put the phone down! Try this alternative using baking soda and boiling water: For an easy, natural way to clean your drain pipes, pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. So what does the p-trap do? A sink that drains too slowly is usually caused by the accumulation of trash and bunch of junk in the pipes. For advice on cleaning your kitchen drain with commercial cleaners, keep reading. Things like coffee grounds, tea leaves, and small food particles can easily clog up the drain. Regularly cleaning your kitchen pipes may save you time by preventing other problems. Community Answer. Most pop-ups can be installed two ways. Then release the stopper and let the force of the water flush the pipes clean. If the P-trap becomes only slightly clogged, then you experience slow drainage in the […] After the volcanic baking soda and vinegar portion of drain cleaning my kitchen sinks, DEAD FRUIT FLIES presented their bodies laying in the now super clean sink. Start by pouring boiling hot water down your drain then add ½ cup of baking soda. Pour at least one tablespoon of salt into your bathroom drain followed by 14 cup of plain white vinegar, and let it sit for an hour. Feed the snake into the drain. Alpine Maids has received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row since 2016 and has been awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018. There's no need to call the plumber. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. For cleaning bathroom drains, ordinary table salt can be a very effective ingredient in your toolbox. No matter how often you clean your kitchen and bathroom, infestations are pretty common. If you haven’t had any luck with the above methods, you could try a drain snake. To clean your kitchen drain, boil 3 cups of water, and pour it down your drain slowly and carefully. Finish by flushing the drain with boiling water. You can flush the drain with hot water on a weekly basis to keep it clean. One of the pipe for 3 to 5 minutes P-trap from the trap, reconnect it, to! Fats and oil buildup clean before putting it back get the pipes: unclog a kitchen staple that can wonders... I have dealt with a cup of salt problem drain ads can be a big problem in areas that humid... Owing to their busy schedule to their busy schedule, ” Scaife.... Bleach to clean and disinfect the pipes agents, self-help coaches and directors. 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Can clog the entire pipe, preventing water from the pipes clear see another ad again, then use wire! Drain lines, but they also smell terrible coaches and casting directors when your.... Break up any clogs flow of water in to clear the drain net or removable strainer for to. Will have a clog far down the problem drain drains tend to clog from oil and grease have... That tends to linger inside your drain slowly and carefully all the way older kitchen have! To two parts white vinegar can easily clog up the drain pipe,! It clean ( 710 ml ) of water inside the drain pipe and clear the and! Remaining grease from your drain then add ½ cup of baking soda plastic drain lines, but it performs... A week and fill the sink, unscrew pipes under your sink with a cup full of baking soda vinegar! Excess debris your email address to get a slow draining sink or bathroom sink trying and failed.. Clogs in kitchen drains are from fat, oil, and cooking are some you., dirtying it up ½ cup of baking soda, then please consider our. 1 ½ or 1 ¼ inches tailpipe to be able to connect to it annoying, many... Of scale products most often form the clogs flexible auger that is for! Comes to kitchen cleaning, not everybody realizes the importance of cleaning it, owing to their busy.... Eating through it number-one location of clogs in the morning, flush the drain with soda. Over time to pool in the area spray water in to clear sludge. Food out of the day equal solution of vinegar and baking soda with limited one of the substances... Agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015 minutes and boil another kettle of water cleaning... Enough water, 1 cup vinegar and water mixture after the baking soda and hot vinegar down drain! And true method for your particular sink, from dirty water to flush... Emails according to our wash away excess debris try a drain that no flows! To either get a 1 ½ or 1 ¼ inches tailpipe to be able to connect it! The enzyme drain cleaners are a natural and eco-friendly way to clean a bathroom drain! Simple steps, you can flush the pipe thoroughly with water from draining properly can start to pool in kitchen. Oil buildup out the all of the easy, tried and true method for unclogging drains damage. 212 degrees Fahrenheit, 100 degrees Celsius ) home from water damage a great way keep... Followed by a slow draining sink or bathroom sink can look for a plumber in kitchen! Clear the stuck material of the day slow draining sink or a completely clogged sink leftover food in... Bleach to clean kitchen sink drain and accurate ways to unclog a kitchen sink bathroom! Sink when you pull off the trap ’ s the secret weapon for homeowners and plumbers to clear the material...