How to Unclog Sink Drains Using Household Items

Keep the water flowing freely in your sink with the use of household items.

It's not the most pleasant experience when you go to brush your teeth or wash your face and dirty water starts backing up in the sink. With regular use, hair and soap scum start to build up in the pipes, impeding the flow of water. You can get that flow back to normal using a couple of common household ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• Pot

Instructions

1. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain.

2. Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar down the drain. This will create a fizzing reaction, and the combination of the ingredients will break down the buildup in the pipes. Cover the drain if possible with a rag or stopper to contain the foam. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

3. Boil 1 gallon of water in a pot and pour it down the drain to flush the cleaning solution and residue away.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use this procedure if you recently used a commercial drain cleaner that could still be present in the plumbing.

References

• Michigan State University Extension: Homemade Cleaners
• Eartheasy: Non-Toxic Home Cleaning