How to Clean Kitchen Sink Drain

What You'll Need

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Boiling water
• Soap-Man Turbo Clean Degreaser
• Old toothbrush
• Drain snake or zip-it tool

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Remove visible debris

   Remove the drain strainer and clear any visible food buildup. Scrub the strainer with an old toothbrush and Turbo Clean Degreaser.

2. 2

   Flush with boiling water

   Boil a full kettle of water and pour it slowly down the drain. This melts and flushes grease clinging to the pipe walls.

3. 3

   Apply baking soda and vinegar

   Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. The fizzing action breaks up organic buildup. Cover the drain and wait 15 minutes.

4. 4

   Flush again with boiling water

   Pour another kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush out all loosened debris and the cleaning solution.

Pro Tips

• TIPPour boiling water down the drain once a week as preventive maintenance to keep grease from accumulating.
• TIPA zip-it drain cleaning tool (under $5) pulls out hair and gunk that chemical cleaners can't dissolve.
• TIPNever pour cooking grease down the drain -- it solidifies in pipes and causes the majority of kitchen drain clogs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• XUsing chemical drain cleaners regularly, which corrode pipes over time, especially older metal plumbing.
• XPouring boiling water down PVC drain pipes too frequently, which can soften the joints and cause leaks.
• XIgnoring slow drains, which only get worse as buildup accumulates and eventually leads to a full backup.

Frequently Asked Questions