What Do You Use to Clean the Overflow in a Bathroom Sink?

Clean the overflow drain in your bathroom sink with bleach.

The overflow drain in your bathroom sink captures excess water before the sink overflows and reaches other surfaces around the bathroom. This dark, hollow area accumulates moisture and odors, making it important that you clean this drain regularly just as you would any other drain in your home.

Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning of your overflow drain can be done with a drain brush to clean away residue and other buildup from the walls of the drain. This brush should be inserted into the drain opening and pushed in and out several times for about 10 seconds to thoroughly clean the drain walls. Place a funnel in the drain opening and pour in about 2 quarts of boiling water to flush the removed residue down the drain.

Monthly or Bimonthly Cleaning

Deeper cleaning can be done with a combination of baking soda and vinegar, which together will work to clean and deodorize the drain. This is especially helpful when you notice a mildew odor or can see discolored buildup accumulating around the drain opening. To use these cleaning items, place a funnel in the opening of the drain. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the funnel, followed by 1 cup of white vinegar. Let the ingredients foam and move into the drain. When all solution is out of the funnel and into the drain, let the foam work for 10 minutes. Rinse out the funnel, place it in the drain again and slowly pour 2 quarts of boiling water through the funnel. The foam will work to remove any remaining buildup from the drain walls while deodorizing and cleaning as well.

Disinfecting the Drain

The overflow drain in your sink can often accumulate mold, mildew and other bacteria that should be removed to keep your bathroom area safe. To disinfect, fill a spray bottle with three parts water to one part bleach. Point the nozzle of the spray bottle into the opening of the overflow drain and spray about 10 full squirts of the solution. The bleach will kill bacteria and disinfect the overflow drain.

Considerations

If you choose to use any type of commercial drain cleaner, read the product label to make sure the solution is safe for use on your type of plumbing system. These cleaners may be effective but often contain chemicals that should not be used in the home, especially when you can replace the chemicals with a more natural homemade cleaning solution that will perform the same task. Use caution when handling the boiling water. Make sure you pour slowly to avoid burning your skin when handling the water.

References

• Southwest Michigan Solid Waste Consortium: Environmentally Friendly Household Cleaning Products