To be honest, baking soda and vinegar are a hard-hitting combo when it comes to removing blockages from sinks. Not only is this a worthy method, but it also doesn’t do any harm to the pipes, unlike the toxic chemical ones that can erode some materials over time, and that’s the best bit about it. So, let’s see how you can do that. But before that, get some baking soda, white vinegar, boiling water, and if you want, dish soap by your side. Alright, let’s try it out now.
Step-By-Step Process To Clean Bathroom Sink Drain With Baking Soda And Vinegar
Step 1: Clear Visible Debris
To begin with, the simplest approach would probably be to clear any visible debris, buildups, or anything like that from the drain. Things like hair and soap build-up lead to a slow drain if collected at the top. Gently use your fingers or tweezers to remove the plug or stopper and clean away anything you see. This step is important because it provides the baking soda and vinegar to fight the deeper clog better.
Step 2: Boiling Water Flush
Alright, now onto the actionable steps, so the first thing you need to do is boil about two or three cups of water, and then carefully pour it down the drain while it is still boiling hot. This is a natural way to release the stubborn dirt, grease, and soap particles that cause the obstruction, you know? By heating, we fundamentally change the composition of the debris into something much more fluid, and as such easier to flush away. Though, just be very careful while pouring to avoid burns.
Step 3: Add Baking Soda
The next step is straightforward. Put half a cup of baking soda into the drain. Yes, just like that. Baking soda has a slightly abrasive quality, functioning like a natural scrubber inside the pipes. Make sure it gets deep into the drain to cover as much area as possible. You can very well use a funnel to help pour baking soda into small drains if you have them.
Step 4: Pour in the Vinegar
What comes next is the exciting part when you pour one cup of vinegar into the drain after you have just put some baking soda down the drain. You might hear some kinda fizzing or bubbling sound when you do that, which is perfectly normal.
Step 5: Let it Sit
So after you pour in the vinegar, you will need to seal the drain strictly with a plug or by any other means. The noise will be coming out of the pipes, that simply means the reaction is going on strong. So, you have to let the mixture sit for around 15 to 30 minutes so that the power of the solution is effective in cleansing the debris that is causing the blockage.
Step 6: Flush with Boiling Water
Alright, after 15 to 30 minutes, just boil about two or three cups of water once again, and pour it down the drain, but slowly. This will wash down everything, like the gunk that the banking soda and vinegar mixture just removed. But let’s say if your sink drain is still blocked, we’d suggest you try this very method one or two more times to make sure the blockage is cleared.