To be honest, the process of cleaning a sink overflow doesn’t really require any special tools or anything like that. The truth is, most of what you require is already likely available at home. Like what? Well, a little brush, such as a pipe cleaner or an old toothbrush, and for a deeper cleanse just keep a long zip tie or a rubber hose by your side. The cleaning solutions that you will use are simple household items like baking soda, white vinegar, and hot water. And that’s pretty much it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning the Sink Overflow
- Getting Rid of Visible Dirt: First of all, get some brushing devices or just a simple toothbrush to clean up with it around and little bit inside the overflow hole. Rub lightly to remove any dirt or gunk stuck inside. Over a long time, you can be surprised about how much grime builds up there. It could very well be that it is just the surface-level gunk that is causing the blockage, if not, you can use a zip tie to reach down further in the overflow hole to clear up the debris that isn’t visible.
- Flush it with Hot Water: Take a pot of boiled water, and with the help of a funnel, pour it right into the overflow hole. This will for sure remove some soap buildups or anything lightly that is causing the sink overflow blockage, but if it still doesn’t solve the problem, just get down to the advanced method, and that is to simply use baking soda and vinegar.
- Use A Mixture of Baking Soda and Vinegar: If you want a deep clean, pour a cup of baking soda into the overflow followed by an equal amount of vinegar. You will notice that there is some fizzing which is totally ok. It helps in the breakdown of stubborn dirt or residue. After allowing 10-15 minutes for it to work itself in, flush it out of boiling water. And that would work in more than 90% of the cases.
But let’s say if everything else fails, then you have no option but to use advanced chemicals like hydrogen peroxide for some extra cleaning. And if you want, you can buy some cleaning agents that come for this very purpose, and you can find them in the nearby store easily.
What If You’re Still Facing Issues?
So, let’s get this straight if your sink overflow continues to stink or is draining slowly, even after cleaning, please don’t panic. There is something else you can try out. The rubber hose method is one you can try. Simply fill the sink with enough water that it is barely above the overflow hole, insert one end of the hose into the hole, and then blow through the other end. That should help to clear any stubborn bit of debris or foreign matter. Otherwise, if the problem persists, use an enzyme cleaner as the next option. These cleaners break down organic matter like hair and soap scum without hurting your pipes. Pour the cleaner into the overflow and leave it overnight before flushing it with just normal water.