Unclog a slow sink drain without harsh chemicals
Most slow sinks clear with hot water and a plunger. Skip the caustic drain cleaner: it can corrode some pipes and often doesn't remove the actual clog.
- Run very hot (not boiling) tap or kettle water down the drain. Boiling water can damage PVC pipes.
- Use a flat-bottomed sink plunger (not the toilet one). Leave an inch or so of water in the basin, cover the overflow hole or plug the second basin with a wet rag, then pump 5 to 10 times.
- Still slow? Pour about 1 cup of baking soda, then 1 cup of white vinegar, cover the drain for 15 to 60 minutes, and flush with hot water.
- For hair or deeper clogs, use a handheld drain snake, or clean out the P-trap with a bucket underneath.
If none of that works, the clog is deeper than household tools can reach. Time to call a plumber.
Sources: WaterSafe: how to unblock a sink, Roto-Rooter: kitchen drain clogs