Our kitchen sink is used throughout the week and entertains many grimy pans and pots. And though we’d like it to smell like fresh roses, that’s not usually the case. There is a natural buildup of grime and old food which can clog your kitchen drainage over the week. But worry not, as we've got some useful tips on how to clean your kitchen sink drainage. In an effort to make your cleaning task simpler when dealing with a clogged kitchen sink, we’ve compiled ideas on how to spot a clogged sink, unclog kitchen sinks, and also how to prevent a blocked sink in the first place. Let’s get started.
Recognising a Blocked Sink
At some point in time, you will experience that your kitchen sink drain is not draining at all. If you are unable to find a way of unclogging it quickly, then it may cause more disruptions than you expected such as not being able to wash your hands, clean the dishes, and so on. To wash your dishes, you can use Vim Dishwash Gel, it helps clean the grease and is easily available in the market.
The first step to correcting a blockage is identifying that you have one and trying to work out what is causing it. You should look for - slow draining water that takes longer to empty from the sink than normal, overflowing water coming back out of the plug and nasty smells coming from the sink.
How to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink
Ingredients to Keep Handy:
a) Plunger
b) Baking soda
c) Hot water
d) Old toothbrush
e) Old towels
f) Bowl
g) Drain snake
Step 1: Plunge Your Sink
Plunge your kitchen sink with a plunger and see if the pressure and suction is enough to clear the blockage.
Step 2: Use a Cleaning Solution
Use a cleaning solution to break down any blockages. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into your sink drain. Baking soda is mild alkali which helps break stains and lift grime. Follow it up with 5-6 cups of hot water. Hot water will help clear the dirt. Repeat the entire step once again for
effectivity. For more information, read our article on How to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink.
Step 3: Remove the Trap
Make sure you turn the water off first to prevent leaks, and keep a bowl and towels handy to collect any stagnant water from the pipes. Remove the trap located in the plumbing below the kitchen sink drain and manually clean the pipes with hot water and scrub with an old toothbrush. Make sure the pipes are back together securely before turning the water back on and checking for leaks.
Step 4: Use a Drain Snake
Use a drain snake to clear blockages that may be present further down the pipes.
After cleaning, you can disinfect the surface for better hygiene. Before using any product, always test on a small hidden area first and follow instructions on the pack for usage and compatible surfaces.
If this cleaning method does not work, then you should speak to a professional plumber.
Preventing a Clogged Sink
The simplest way to prevent a kitchen sink is to not put the following items down the drain - used cooking oils and fats, food debris and scraps, hair or other organic waste.
Instead, dispose of these items properly. Remember to wipe cookware with an old cloth or
some paper towels to remove any leftover oil before you wash it up. This should help prevent the problem in future.
You can clean your kitchen shelves with a kitchen cleaner like Cif Kitchen Cleaner. Check the pack to understand the correct usage instructions.
And there you have it! Now that you know how to spot, fix, and prevent a clogged sink. And if it’s a blocked toilet rather than sink causing you problems, then we have some tips for that too!
