How To Unblock a Sink (Kitchen or Bathroom): 10+ Useful Methods

A blocked sink can bring your daily routine to a standstill, whether it's in the kitchen filled with greasy dishwater or in the bathroom struggling to drain after you wash your hands. Slow drainage, standing water, or unpleasant odours are all tell-tale signs of a clog forming somewhere in the pipes.

The good news is that most sink blockages don't require an emergency plumber. With the right tools and a bit of know-how, you can often clear them yourself in just a few minutes.

In this guide, we'll show you how to unblock a sink in the kitchen or bathroom, using simple, effective methods that really work. We'll also share preventative tips to help you stop future clogs before they start.

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Before choosing the best method to unblock your sink, try to figure out what's causing the blockage. The type of debris in your pipes often determines which approach will work most effectively and whether the problem is in the kitchen or bathroom.

Common reasons your kitchen sink might be blocked include:

Bathroom sink blockages often happen due to:

Knowing the likely cause will help you choose the safest and most effective unblocking method, whether that's using a plunger, baking soda and vinegar, or a drain snake.

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Most of these methods can be done with things that you already have around your home. A few may work better than others depending on what is causing the block in your sink, so you may need to try more than one to find the right fix.

If your kitchen sink is fitted with a waste disposal unit, start here before trying other methods. Food waste can collect at the bottom of the unit, creating a partial blockage that stops water from draining properly.

Here's how to handle this:

Tip: Regularly running your disposal with cold water helps prevent grease build-up and keeps the blades free of residue. If you don't have a disposal unit, move to the next method below. It'll work for most standard kitchen or bathroom sinks.

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When grease or soap scum is the culprit, boiling water can often do the trick. The heat helps dissolve fatty deposits and loosen grime stuck inside the pipes, an easy first step before trying stronger methods.

Step-by-step:

When to use this method:

Avoid using boiling water if you have PVC pipes, as extreme heat can cause damage. In that case, stick to warm water and a safe drain cleaner instead.

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This classic natural remedy is a safe and effective way to tackle most household sink blockages, especially when you're unsure what's causing the clog. The fizzing reaction helps break down grime, grease, and trapped debris without harsh chemicals.

Here's how to use this method:

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If your sink is draining slowly but not completely blocked, baking soda and salt can work wonders.

The abrasiveness of salt helps scrub away grime while the baking soda neutralises odours and reacts mildly with moisture to loosen debris. It's safe for both kitchen and bathroom sinks, especially if you're avoiding harsh drain chemicals.

This gentle, chemical-free combination helps break down grime and deodorises your pipes at the same time, ideal if you prefer an overnight fix:

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This quick fix is especially handy after cooking. It keeps your pipes clear and odour-free with minimal effort. When grease is the main suspect, a simple mix of salt and boiling water can clear the blockage without expensive chemicals. The salt acts as a mild abrasive, while the heat from the water melts away congealed fats and oils inside the pipe.

Here's how to do it:

Best for: Kitchen sinks affected by grease, fat, or oil build-up, and metal or ceramic sinks (avoid using this method on PVC pipes if you regularly use very hot water).

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A plunger isn't just for toilets. It's one of the quickest and most reliable tools for unblocking sinks, too. It works by creating suction that loosens and pulls out trapped debris, restoring normal drainage:

Tip: If you're dealing with a double-bowl kitchen sink, block the second drain before plunging to maximise suction. For bathroom sinks, a smaller sink plunger is often more effective and easier to control.

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When plungers, salt, or baking soda don't do the trick, it's time for a more hands-on solution. A pipe snake, also called a drain auger, can reach deep into the pipe to break up or pull out tough clogs that other methods can't touch:

Tip: For hair-heavy clogs in bathroom sinks, a small plastic drain snake is ideal. It grips hair without scratching the pipe. For deeper or recurring blockages in kitchen sinks, a metal auger provides more reach and durability. Check QS Supplies' range of plumbing tools and waste cleaners to find suitable drain snakes and other unblocking essentials.

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If you don't have a drain snake, a simple wire coat hanger can work surprisingly well, especially for bathroom sinks where hair is the main issue:

Tip: Wrap the hook in electrical tape to prevent scratching the sink or metal fittings.

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If you have access to a wet/dry (shop) vacuum, it can be a powerful way to pull out stubborn clogs without chemicals. Here's how to use it:

Safety note: Avoid using a household upright vacuum. Only a proper wet/dry model is safe for this job.

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When home remedies like baking soda or plunging don't shift the blockage, a liquid or gel sink unblocker can offer extra cleaning power. Modern formulas are designed to dissolve grease, soap residue, and hair without damaging your pipes or sink finish.

Here's how to use a drain unblocker safely:

Follow these important safety tips:

For routine upkeep, choose an eco-friendly or enzyme-based unblocker that's safe for regular use.

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Bathroom sinks often face different types of blockages than kitchen sinks. Instead of food or grease, the culprits are usually hair, soap residue, and toothpaste build-up that collect over time just beneath the plughole.

Fortunately, the same DIY methods that work for kitchens are equally effective here, with a few extra tips to suit bathroom fixtures:

Prevention tip: To reduce the chance of future clogs, fit a sink strainer or waste cover to catch hair before it enters the drain. You can explore bottle traps, basins, and bathroom fittings available at QS Supplies to keep your sink performing like new.

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The best way to deal with blocked sinks is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Many of the methods above can also serve as regular maintenance, helping you keep your pipes clear and your home running smoothly.

Regular maintenance keeps both kitchen and bathroom sinks draining efficiently, saving you the hassle of future blockages.

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Prefer to see the process in action? Watch this short 4-minute video by Pan The Organizer, which demonstrates a few of the most effective DIY sink-unblocking methods.

Disclaimer: These techniques can be tried carefully at your own risk. While they're effective for most household sinks, results will vary depending on the severity and location of the blockage. If the clog persists or you're unsure about handling it yourself, it's best to contact a professional plumber for advice or assistance.

[Keep existing video]

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A clear, free-flowing sink helps keep your entire kitchen or bathroom running smoothly. With a few simple tools and techniques, you can often fix minor blockages yourself and prevent future clogs.

For quality sinks, kitchen taps, baths, showers, and plumbing essentials, explore the full range available at QS Supplies, and keep your home in perfect working order.

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