Have you been treating your kitchen sink with the love and attention it deserves? If you haven’t, you certainly should. When you overlook any part of your plumbing system, it’s easy for problems to arise. One of the most common (and most frustrating) issues that you can encounter is a drain clog.
Since you use your kitchen sink on a frequent basis, it stands to reason that the drain can become clogged fairly quickly. Food items such as grease, egg shells, starches, and fibrous vegetables can collect inside the drain if you’re not careful — leading to a stubborn blockage.
Luckily, learning how to unclog a kitchen sink drain isn’t as complicated as you might think. You will likely only need to have a couple of items on hand, such as a plunger and a few pantry staples.
Clogged kitchen sinks are a hassle, but in most cases, it’s nothing to worry about. Let’s go over some ways to swiftly and successfully remove drain clogs.
Start With a Plunger
Many homeowners will tell you that the best way to clean kitchen sink drains is with a plunger. While you might think these handy plumbing tools are strictly for the toilet, they can have many other uses — and fixing clogged drains is one of them.
For the most part, you’ll want to opt for a cup plunger for sink clogs. These plungers are excellent at creating tight seals on flat surfaces. If you have a double sink, you’ll also want to cover the clog-less drain with a stopper so that it doesn’t mess with the pressure.
How to Use a Plunger for Sink Clogs
Now it’s time to get to work! Make sure the clogged sink has a few inches of water inside of it. There should be enough water to submerge the tip of the plunger — but don’t go overboard. You can add water by turning on the faucet or removing it with a cup, depending on if the water level is too low or too high.
After you create a tight seal over the drain, start plunging rapidly in an up-and-down motion. The entire process takes about 20 seconds, so be patient. Once you feel like the blockage has been dislodged, you can remove the plunger and check to see if water is draining from the sink. If there’s no more water in the sink, you’ve been successful!
Use Homemade Drain Cleaners
Are you currently without a plunger? Don’t worry; you can learn how to unclog a kitchen sink drain even if you don’t have one of these tools on hand.
Some homeowners will say that using chemical drain cleaners is the best way to clean kitchen sink drains. However — we’re here to tell you to steer away from these store-bought products. Chemical drain cleaning solutions are incredibly harsh on drains; they can cause a great deal of damage to your plumbing, especially if you use them frequently.
Instead of using chemical drain cleaning products, we have some DIY drain cleaners that are known for being just as effective. Plus, they’re 100% safe to use on your drains! Let’s discuss them in detail below.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are a formidable duo when it comes to removing stubborn sink clogs. All you will need is one cup of baking soda, one cup of vinegar, and a pot of boiling water.
Pour baking soda into the clogged drain, quickly followed by the measured-out vinegar. Cover the drain with a stopper and let the mixture sit for a few hours (or overnight, if you have the time to spare).
Once you’ve let the mixture sit for a while, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to flush it out. Repeat the process a few more times until the blockage has been removed completely.
While some people may consider this to be the best way to clean kitchen sink drains, you don’t have to stop here! Baking soda can also be used to clean your kitchen sink. This pantry staple is excelling at helping stainless steel sinks shine.
Dish Soap & Hot Water
If you’re dealing with a grease clog, you can try removing it with a little dish soap and hot water. Simply combine a few tablespoons of liquid dish soap with a pot of boiling water. Keeping safety in mind, carefully pour the mixture into the clogged drain.
When discussing how to unclog a kitchen sink drain, it’s important to note that the methods you use don’t have to be overly complicated. Even the simplest techniques, such as a DIY drain cleaner, can do wonders against blockages. However, you might need to repeat the process a few times, depending on the severity of the clog.
Safeguard the Garbage Disposal
Although we’re going over how to unclog a kitchen sink drain, it’s just as helpful to know how to clean a garbage disposal. Many types of food items, such as coffee grounds, potato peels, and pasta, can get stuck on the components if you aren’t careful.
Fortunately, there are easy ways to keep your garbage disposal clean. For example, you can grind up ice cubes to dislodge food particles. You might also want to try pouring ½ cup of salt down the drain, followed by a pot of boiling water. Once you’ve poured the hot water into the sink, check to see if this has dislodged the blockage. If it hasn’t, consider repeating the process.
Fix Stubborn Blockages With Help From Our Plumbers
When it comes down to it, there isn’t one best way to clean kitchen sink drains. There are many methods worth trying, and you never know which solution will end up being your favorite!
Of course, some blockages are tougher than others. While it can be helpful to learn how to clean sink drains, there may come a time when the best option is to call a plumber for help. At Tempo Air, our local drain cleaners are here to assist you with top-tier solutions!
Our team of highly-trained and experienced technicians truly care about your comfort. We always arrive on time and make transparent communication a top priority. Contact us today to schedule a drain cleaning in Texas!
