Conquer clogged sinks: Easy home remedies that work

There's nothing worse than a clogged sink. It starts with a gentle gurgling in the pipes, then the water drains more and more slowly, and an unpleasant smell begins to emerge from the drain. In such a situation, we often panic and call a plumber, who may charge us a hefty fee for their services. Fortunately, there are several methods for quickly and efficiently solving this problem without needing professional help.

This unpleasant surprise can happen in both the kitchen sink and the bathroom sink. The problem can be solved in various ways—from buying chemical agents at a store, using home remedies, to mechanically unclogging the pipes. It’s worth trying the least expensive methods first.

Pour a generous amount of baking soda (about a cup) into the drain and add the same amount of vinegar. The mixture should be added immediately, as baking soda and vinegar undergo a chemical reaction, creating a large amount of foam. This foam is meant to unclog the pipe. Cover the overflow with a cloth or a stopper and wait about 15 minutes. After this time, pour a quart of boiling water into the trap and check if the method brought the expected result.

An alternative to baking soda and vinegar is citric acid. Simply pour two small packets of citric acid into the drain and add 2 cups of hot water. Citric acid should dissolve the accumulated grease and mineral deposits, which may be the leading cause of the clogged pipe.

You can also unclog pipes with the help of dishwasher tablets. Fill a cup with hot water and add one tablet to it. Pour the resulting mixture into the sink and wait 10 minutes. After this time, rinse the drain with a large amount of hot water. Dishwasher tablets are effective at breaking down greasy deposits, quickly eliminating persistent blockages and leaving a fresh scent.