Nobody wants to think about cleaning the bathroom sink. But whether you’re a new homeowner or a renter, it’s inevitable that your sink will become clogged with deposits, dirt, hair, or even a lost earring or stuck Lego piece. No need to panic and call a plumber, or worse, grab a bottle of Drano, which contains chemicals that can corrode pipes and endanger your family’s health and the environment. Instead, save time and money with these eco-friendly DIY cleaning tips. We assure you that without any special knowledge, your bathroom sink will be back to normal in 30 minutes or less.
We’ll start with one of the easiest tricks you can try first because we make sure everything you need is at hand. Typically, deposits in sinks are caused by dirt, soap, and hair clogging drains. An easy way to get rid of it is to use boiled hot water. Do not try this option if you have a porcelain sink. Boiling water can crack your porcelain sink, so skip this tutorial and try the other option below.
If your sink is not ceramic, first wait for all the water to drain from the sink (yes, this may take a while). After the basin is empty, slowly pour the boiling water directly from the kettle or kettle down the drain. As a general rule, you need to drain eight ounces or more of water before you can unclog the sink. Try this method twice, and if you see small changes, move on to the next tutorial.
Baking soda and white vinegar are an eco-friendly cleaning combination. As in the first method, start by pouring boiling water down the drain. Then add one cup of baking soda, one cup of water, and finally one cup of white vinegar.
Then close the drain with a stopper and leave for at least ten minutes. The next step is like a high school science fair: Pour another cup of boiling water down the drain and the reaction between the baking soda and white vinegar should boil and clear any blockages quickly.
I have seen several TikTok videos where people use screwdrivers and paper towels or hangers instead of snakes. However, for less than $10, you can make a quick trip to your local hardware store and pick up a pack of plastic snakes that come in handy when the drain gets clogged.
The easiest way to start using a drain snake is to slowly feed it from the sink into the drain. Don’t be surprised if it gets stuck. It may get caught in a blockage, or you may need to bend it due to a bend in the pipe. You may need to turn the drain several times, moving it back and forth to clear the blockage. It is important to note that the snake can only move or dislodge the blockage, but does not always remove it.
Plungers aren’t just for toilets, they can also come in handy when your sink gets clogged. The cup piston works best for this task, being smaller and providing tighter suction around the sump (but a standard piston will do).
Remove the plug from the sink before you begin, unlike the other methods, you need some clogged water in the sink for it to work. Center the plunger in the drain and start injecting. You need to pump at least ten times or more, then repeat. Also, a word of caution, you will need to insert your finger into the overflow hole and then insert. If you have a double-drain sink, you will need to cover the second drain with a rag or towel so that the plunger seals tightly against the first sink and inserts properly.
These eco-friendly DIY sink unclogs will help you get your sink back up and running quickly.
Angela Belt is an associate editor who writes shopping for House Beautiful. She is also an interior designer and hosts her own podcast, The Mood Board. She is a respected design expert, with some of her work featured on HGTV, Better Homes & Gardens, The Washington Post and more.
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