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How to Clean a Kitchen Sink Drain: The Dos and Don’ts

Pabio December 1, 2024

The kitchen sink is the heart of any busy kitchen, supporting everything from coffee grounds to greasy pots and pans. But when a clog or unpleasant odor occurs, it’s time to learn how to clean a kitchen sink drain effectively.

Keeping your kitchen sink drain clean and clear is a very important step in determining how to clean a kitchen and luckily, it doesn’t require industrial-grade chemicals or hours of scrubbing. With a few simple, eco-friendly techniques and regular maintenance, you can easily banish buildup and odors.

From natural cleaning solutions to smart preventative measures, this step-by-step shows you how to clean your sink drain and maintain it to prevent future blockages.

What you will need

Luigi’s Sink and Drain Plunger

White Vinegar Eco Miniml, 5L

Step by step

1. Gather the right tools for the job

First, arm yourself with the right equipment for the job, depending of course on the difficulty of the cleaning job.

Experts recommend having a good plunger for cleaning pipes and a bucket for collecting dirty water or debris.

And don’t forget a good pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands.

2. Start with boiling water

Before bringing out the big guns, an expert-approved safety method is to use boiling water in the drain hole to unclog any blockages.

“Just pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain can clear a clog,” says Sarah Dempsey, My job quotethe cleaning expert.

“Start by slowly pouring boiling water down the drain,” advises Jess Thomas, managing director of Drainage plant.

“Wait five minutes after pouring the water. Next, run the cold water faucet so that any remaining grease will congeal and be flushed away.

If you’re dealing with stagnant water, Polya Petrova, cleaning expert at Fantastic services advises: “Carefully pour boiling water down the drain in stages, letting it sit for a few seconds before adding more. »

But be careful, Polya warns: “If you pour boiling water down the drain, remember to use caution to avoid burning yourself.”

Kitchen sink in front of a bright window with an orchid in the sink

(Image credit: Future/David Cleveland)

3. Use baking soda against bad odors

If boiling water isn’t enough, opt for the baking soda method.

Lynsey Crombie, aka Lynsey, queen of cleaning advises adding “a large measure of bicarbonate of soda or bicarbonate of soda to the drain hole, leave for 5 minutes and add boiling water.”

MyJobQuote’s Sarah Dempsey adds that it will help “absorb bad odors and remove any dirt.”

3. Add Vinegar for Extra Cleaning Power

If baking soda alone isn’t enough, you can clean with vinegar. Experts all agree that adding a cup of vinegar to the hole after the baking soda will clear any blockages.

“This combination is a classic natural remedy used for drain blockages. Let it sit for about 15 to 30 minutes and flush the drain with hot water. explains Polya Petrova, cleaning expert at Fantastic Services.’

cast iron sink in a custom island

(Image credit: Martin Moore/Kohler)

4. Try a plunger or plumber’s snake to dislodge blockages

While the steps above should be enough to clear the clogs, it’s still possible that you’ll be faced with a more stubborn blockage to clear. If this is the case, you can repeat the process but adding a piston – or you can use a plumber’s snake which you can easily pick up on Amazon.

“A plunger is a common but versatile tool that can help dislodge clogs. Before using, make sure there is enough water in the sink or bathtub to cover the bottom of the plunger,” says Polya Petrova, cleaning expert at Fantastic Services. “Create a tight seal around the drain and vigorously push and pull the plunger for about 20 to 30 seconds. Repeat this operation as many times as necessary. The suction and pressure created by the plunger can often break the clog.

“If the clog persists, use a plumber’s snake by inserting it into the drain and twisting it clockwise to break up and remove stubborn clogs.” said Polya. “Continue this until the snake is moving freely down the drain.”

5. Don’t forget the exterior and final rinse

Once you have completed the above, rinse the solution with more hot water to rinse away any residue. Then it’s time to tackle the problem.

Polya advises using a mixture of dish soap and an old toothbrush to clean the drain opening and the area around it.

FAQs

How to remove sludge from a kitchen sink drain?

“The most convenient way to get rid of sludge inside the kitchen sink drain is to use a plumbing plunger and snake,” says plumbing parts supplier Ryan McNicholl. Direct replacement parts.

“For the plunger, you will need to create a tight seal on the drain and plunge in with all your might. For the plumbing snake, you simply push the snake inside the drain, then rotate it and push further to loosen the sludge. Once you’ve cleared the blockage, flush the drain with hot water.

And if all else fails, MyJobQuote cleaning expert Sarah Dempsey says, “If natural methods aren’t enough to remove the sludge, you may want to consider using a commercial drain cleaner. If you choose this method, always follow the manufacturer’s application instructions. Additionally, it is important to protect yourself with gloves and follow all safety precautions, as chemical cleaners can harm your skin and eyes. Make sure the room is well ventilated when using chemical cleaners.

What is the best way to clean a smelly kitchen sink drain?

“Pour a large cup of baking soda down the kitchen drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar, advises HomeServe engineer Liam Sharkey.

“Let it sit for 20 minutes, then pour in a kettle full of boiling water. The baking soda will work to absorb the smell, boiling water will melt the fats – which can lead to blockages. The vinegar acts as a lubricant to help it come off the pipe coating. It’s good to get into this habit once a week for pipe maintenance.

However, Drainage Central general manager Jess Thomas says it all depends on the smell in question.

“If water is draining slowly from your kitchen sink in addition to the bad smell, this suggests that the pipes are clogged and the blockage is likely causing the smell,” says Jess.

“A rotten food smell is likely due to food, grease, or oils blocking the pipes. However, if the drain smells like a rotten egg, it could mean sewer gases are potentially escaping through the U-bend in the pipes.

If it’s the latter, Jess advises inspecting the U-bend carefully.

“The U-bend under your kitchen sink is designed to trap sewer gases and should always be filled with water, as it will act as a barrier to prevent gases from escaping.” Jess explains.

“If you suspect sewer gases may be the cause of a smelly kitchen drain, you should:

Check if the water in the U-bend has evaporated: This can happen if you’re not home and no one has run the water in the sink for a while. This should be easily fixed by running the water again.
Check for leaks in the U-bend.: Look under your sink for wet spots or drips that could indicate a leak. If you have a leak, you should seek help from a professional plumber.
Check for blockage in the U-bend: Try cleaning your kitchen sink drain first, but if the blockage persists after that, you may need to remove the U-bend so it can be cleaned with a wire brush.

How to avoid future pipe blockages

To avoid future blockages and difficulty cleaning your pipes, Ryan McNicholl of SparesDirect advises the following:

“Avoid pouring grease down the drain, as it eventually solidifies and can cause blockages. »
“Use a drain cover to help capture food particles and prevent them from going down the drain. »
“Try flushing your drain with hot water once a week to prevent buildup.”
“Be careful what you put down the drain and avoid putting fibrous materials like coffee grounds, rice and pasta down the drain, as they can clog the pipes.”

Should I pour boiling water down the drain?

As we advised in our step-by-step above, it is recommended to use boiling water to help clean your kitchen sink drain, but there are certain circumstances where you should be careful. a little caution.

“If you have plastic pipes instead of metal pipes, turn off your kettle as soon as possible and only use partially boiled water to avoid damaging your pipes,” warns Liam Sharkey, engineer at HomeServe.

“If your pipes are PVC or other plastics, you’ll need to be careful as excessive heat could damage these materials,” says Sarah Dempsey, cleaning expert at MyJobQuote. “It’s generally safer to use hot but not boiling water if your pipes are plastic.”

However, boiling water isn’t always enough to completely clear a drain, and it all depends on the blockage you’re dealing with. “For example, boiling water can be effective at dissolving organic matter, such as grease,” adds Sarah. “But it will not remove solid blockages that can be caused by inorganic materials.”

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