How to clean sink
With all the food and oil that we drain into the sink, it can easily get blocked. This guide will give you easy-to-follow tips to help you clean clogged sink!
No matter how careful we are when putting dirty dishes into the sink and throwing the leftover food into the garbage, sometimes it can get overlooked by children and other family members, and food particles end up clumping together. This will block the pipes, especially when there is bread or rice involved. Plus, the oils from food further increases the problem as they can solidify into what can appear as permanent blockage. But remember, there is no such thing as a permanently blocked drain. All you need are the right products and techniques, and we will show you how to clean sink and unblock the drainage.
How to clean sinks
Is your bathroom sink drain clogged? Then there are two approaches to deal with the situation – cleaning products or a plunger. Which one of those two you choose depends on what you are dealing with. Let us explain:
- When you believe the bathroom sink is clogged with food or oil, which is easily broken down naturally, then cleaning products are the way to go. It is easy to use them, just follow the instructions and take the proper safety precautions. This should be enough to clean clogged sink of this type.
If you believe that a small object is blocking your sink drainage, however, another approach might be needed, since cleaning products might not work. Usually, it is a good idea to use a plunger to force the object out of the pipe. However, if you do not know what type of blockage you are dealing with, you could always start with cleaning products before using a plunger. If the blockage is a tough one, it’s easier to simply call the plumber to fix it.
How to Clean clogged sink: Efficient Products
It is not difficult to tell when your bathroom sink is clogged. However, it might be more challenging to tell what type of blockage you are dealing with.
Usually, you will be able to tell what kind of blockage it is by thinking about it. When food particles have built up, you will have noticed that the water drains slower and slower over time. That is because it takes time for food to build up, until it becomes so big that the water can no longer flow passed it. So, when this is the case, you know what type you are dealing with!
The most important thing to clean a clogged sink is to have the right products at hand. After all, where would you be without them? The most effective option is a store-bought sink unblocker like Cif. When you have bought this, simply read the label and follow the instructions and safety precautions.
Alternatively, a home remedy is to use a solution of baking soda and vinegar. Since one is acidic and the other basic, the solution can act quite effectively in breaking down food blockages in your drain pipe. The best approach to having your bathroom sink unclog is easy: put a tablespoon of baking soda in and around the hole of the sink, and pour vinegar over it to make the mixture foam. Leave this for 5 minutes, after which you should pour hot water down the drain until it drains normally again – this is a clear sign that your bathroom sink is clogged no more!
However, remember that this method is not always the one that brings about nice smells! Also, keep in mind that the vinegar method should not be combined with any product that contains bleach – the bleach and vinegar will react to form a toxic chlorine gas. Obviously, this is something you should avoid!
How to clean sinks with a Plunger
Sometimes, the previous method does not work to clean clogged sink. In that case, or if you know that the drain is blocked by a small object (like a small children’s toy), it is time to bring out the plunger!
- Make sure that you are using a proper sink plunger, since a toilet plunger is not very hygenic, nor as effective.
- If you have your bathroom sink drain clogged, using a plunger is an effective method to deal with it. It might seem simple, but there is more to using a plunger than you might think! However, it does not have to be difficult if you keep the following in mind: first make sure that the overflow is blocked. Remember to close the main valve for kitchen water, if you have one. When the overflow is not blocked, the air will simply go out of the overflow, and you will not create enough pressure to push the object out.
- Next, put the plunger over the sink hole and make sure that it is airtight. Top tip – if you make the plunger wet with water, it will make it much easier!
- Pump up and down quickly – this creates air pressure in the pipes, which is needed to force the object out of the drains to get your bathroom sink unclogged.
- Repeat this for a few times. Then, check to see whether the object has come into the trap. Sometimes, if you have not cleaned the trap for a while, you will find some bits of food and hair in there. This is an excellent time to clean that all up!
Prevent a Sink from Blocking
No matter how much we dislike it, we will have to clean clogged sink from time to time. However, by following a few rules it is easy to reduce the number of times it happens! Most importantly, make sure you throw the waste from plates, bowls, and chopping boards into the garbage bin, no matter how small or little the food is, as it can build up over time. Another small trick is to place a filter over the hole, which is able to catch larger chunks of food – this way, you can clean the filter after you’re done washing the dishes, and not worry about the food clogging your drain. Ideally, water and soap should be the only things that pass through your drains!
Make sure to use biocides carefully, and always wear gloves to protect your hands!
Cleanipedia recommends
Everyone has the same problem from time to time: the bathroom sink is clogged. Sink blockage builds up over time, as the food and oil that have been drained have had the time to grow bacteria and mold, which forms a blockage. That’s why we recommend Cif to unclog your sink pipe and keep everything clean and hygienic.
Safety Warning
Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
