How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Stopper

A stopper in a bathroom sink is a collection point for dirt and bacteria. Everything that goes down the sink drain first passes by the stopper. Normal cleaning of the sink will not clean the underneath of the stopper, where dirt and grime accumulate. The stopper must be removed from the sink drain to clean it properly. The job of cleaning a bathroom sink stopper is completed in a 30 to 45 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Slip-joint pliers
• Dish soap
• Old toothbrush

Instructions

1. Locate the retaining nut for the stopper underneath the sink. It is on the back of the straight drain pipe directly under the sink drain. The retaining nut holds a vertical rod in the drain pipe that secures the stopper.

2. Loosen and remove the retaining nut with a pair of slip-joint pliers. Pull out the vertical rod. Lift out the stopper from the sink drain from inside the bowl.

3. Fill the kitchen sink a quarter of the way with hot water and add three or four squirts of dish soap.

4. Place the stopper in the hot soapy water, and let it soak for 20 minutes.

5. Scrub the stopper thoroughly with an old toothbrush. Ensure that you scrub all the crevices and indentations of the stopper. Rinse the stopper with hot water.

6. Set the stopper in place in the drain, and reattach the vertical rod and retaining nut.