Drains can be cleaned in four different ways.

1. 1

   Use white vinegar, baking soda, and hot water to clean your drain. This can aid in the removal of odors caused by the accumulation of bacteria, grease, and organic residue in your drain. It can also aid in the removal of residue to prevent future clogs. Pour 12 cup (118 mL) baking soda down the drain, then 12 cup (118 mL) white vinegar. Cover or plug the drain immediately and set aside for about 15 minutes. Then, in a kettle or saucepan, bring some water to a boil and pour it down the drain. [1]

   • A baking soda and vinegar solution can also be used to remove stains and mineral deposits from the area around the outside of your drain. [2]

2. 2

   Use a biological cleaner to clean out clogged drains. Regular preventative maintenance can keep your drains smelling fresh, eliminate potentially harmful bacteria and mold, and prevent future clogs. Biological or enzymatic drain cleaners, such as Zep or Citra-Drain, are relatively safe and non-hazardous to the environment. They're also less damaging to your septic system than most chemical cleaners. To eliminate odors and buildup in a drain, follow the packaging directions. [3]

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3. 3

   Using ice, salt, and lemon peels, clean out a stinky disposal. If a garbage disposal works properly but smells bad, it is likely that organic residue and bacteria have begun to accumulate on the grinders. Add a few cups of ice cubes, a handful of coarse salt, and a few lemon peels to the garbage disposal. Allow it to grind this mixture for a short period of time to remove buildup using an "abrasive" that will not harm its steel grinders. [4]

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1. 1

   To clear a clog, use a plunger. Plungers are excellent for unclogging toilets, but they also work well for unclogging clogged sinks and tubs. Fill the sink or tub halfway with water to cover the drain and the bottom. To create a tight seal, press the plunger firmly down over the drain and give it several quick pumps. [5]

   • Plungers with bellows may work best.
   • If you have a double-bowl sink, you may need to plug one of the drains or use a washcloth to create a complete seal before plunging.
   • Maintain a separate plunger for the toilet.

2. 2

   Make use of a drain cleaning tool made of barbed plastic. Barbed drain cleaners, such as the Zip-It Bath and Sink Hair Snare, are excellent for clearing clogs near the drain opening. Just insert the tool into the drain and pull it out. Back-angled barbs will extract hair and other materials that have accumulated in your drain.

3. 3

   Blow out clogs with a gas or water-powered cleaner. Aerosol drain cleaners use compressed air or gas to blast clogs out of drains. Water bladders achieve the same result by using pressurized water. [6]

   • If you choose a gas-powered drain cleaner, make sure the device fits properly over your drain. An adapter may be required. If you don't make a good seal, the blast may be directed back at you rather than into the drain.
   • Water-based drain cleaning devices are typically attached to a garden hose, but an adapter that allows you to connect it to an indoor faucet may be available.

4. 4

   Melt grease clogs with a heating pad. Wrap a heating pad around the sink's trap pipe. Turn on the heating pad to warm up the pipe, then run hot water through it until the grease is gone. To help dissolve the grease, add a little dish detergent. [7]

5. 5

   Treat accumulation biologically. For slow or partially clogged drains, use an enzymatic or bacterial drain cleaner overnight on a regular basis. Follow the package instructions. [8]

   • Biological cleaners are less effective and take longer to work than chemical cleaners, but they are better for you, your plumbing, and the environment.
   • Biological cleaners may necessitate multiple treatments to be effective.

6. 6

   Contact a plumber. If all else fails, or if you are unsure that you can safely handle the problem yourself, hire a professional to unclog your drain. [9] If you live in a rental property, contact your landlord or property manager so they can make a call on your behalf.

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1. 1

   Purchase a low-cost cable auger or plumber's snake. Augers are excellent for removing deep clogs that are inaccessible by other means. If you don't want to buy one, you might be able to rent one from a hardware store. While the cables coiled on a spool come in a variety of lengths, a 25-foot (7-meter) cable is the most common. 5 m) cable should suffice for most household requirements. [10]

   • You should also wear protective goggles and rubber gloves with a good gripping surface, especially if you have recently used harsh drain cleaning products. [11]

2. 2

   If necessary, remove the trap beneath the sink. Because some sinks have a built-in strainer, you may have to remove it to reach the clog. A "trap" is a j-shaped pipe installed beneath your sink. Some sink traps can be removed by hand, but if this is not possible, a wrench or channel lock pliers may be used. Keep a bucket nearby to catch any water that drains from the pipe after it has been removed. [12]

3. 3

   Push the auger cable or snake slowly into the pipe opening. Once it's a few inches in, crank the auger handle while pushing the coil firmly into the pipe. The auger will gradually advance deeper into the pipe until it encounters the obstruction. [13]

   • If your pipe has any sharp bends, wiggle the auger wire or turn the crank more firmly to get it through.

4. 4

   Continue to turn the auger until you encounter resistance. If the auger wire comes across a clog that is too large or strong to break up, it will refuse to turn. Crank the handle a few more times to firmly embed the wire in the clog, then gently wiggle it to help loosen the blockage. [14]

5. 5

   Turn the crank in the opposite direction to remove the auger from the pipe. If you successfully inserted the auger into the blockage, the clog should be extracted along with the wire. Remove the debris from the auger's end and dispose of it. [15]

6. 6

   If necessary, test your drain and repeat the procedure. Run a little water through your sink or tub to see if it drains properly. If not, run the auger through your pipes again, and repeat as needed until your drain is clear. [16]

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1. 1

   To avoid clogs, use drain screens. Drain screens allow water and small particles to pass through your drain while keeping hair, soap scum, and large food particles out. Use drain screens in your bathtub while showering and in your kitchen sink while washing dishes. [17]

2. 2

   Keep grease and fat out of your drains. Grease can gradually build up in your plumbing, causing clogs and foul odors, and it can even cause more serious problems outside your home, such as sewer clogs. [18] Cooking grease should never be poured down the drain. Before washing greasy dishes, wipe them down with a paper towel and use plenty of hot water and dish detergent to break up any residual grease. [19]

3. 3

   Clean drains and stoppers as needed. As part of your regular cleaning routine, pour a few gallons of boiling water down sink drains once a week. Clean built-in sink stoppers on a regular basis, as they can accumulate grime and clogging materials like hair. [20]

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