The Kitchen Sink Will Not Drain Properly

Household vinegar may be used as a natural cleaning product.

Food waste and a general buildup of soap scum can lead to blocked drain pipes under the kitchen sink. Water will sit in the sink and either drain away very slowly or in the worst case scenario, not drain at all. Chemical products for drain unclogging are available from hardware stores but may not work and prove costly. Using inexpensive household products, you can make a natural, non-toxic drain cleaner, which will also sanitize the pipes.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Boiling water

Instructions

1. Clear the area in and around the kitchen sink.

2. Remove any excess water in the sink with a cup into a bucket.

3. Tip 1 cup of baking soda down the kitchen sink drain.

4. Pour a cup of household vinegar into the sink drain immediately after the baking soda. The baking soda will froth out of the hole. The vinegar and baking soda will combine to clear the blockage.

5. Place the sink stopper into the drain hole.

6. Allow the baking soda and vinegar to sit in the sink drain for about 30 minutes.

7. Remove the sink stopper and pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain. The blockage is then removed.

Tips & Warnings

• Repeat the process if it does not work the first time. The baking soda and vinegar will eventually clear the blockage.

• You can also place the sink stopper over the baking soda-vinegar mixture immediately after pouring the vinegar, to allow the pipes to flush.

• Never mix vinegar and bleach as it causes a toxic reaction.

References

• Tipnut: Tips For Clogged Drains & Homemade Drain Cleaner Recipe
• Going Green Challenge: Homemade Drain Cleaner
• Cleaning Tips: Unclogging Drains

Resources

• Mrs. Clean USA: Kitchen Cleaning Tips