It turns out you can unclog most drain blockages without vinegar, baking soda or any chemical cleaners as you just need a handy kitchen item most people already have next to their sink.
You can easily unblock a drain in 10 minutes using a handy item that almost everyone has next to their sink (Image: Getty)
If your sink is producing an odd gurgling noise or draining unusually slowly, you’re most likely dealing with a minor blockage — and it could be simpler to sort out than you think, using items you already have at home. The most common culprits behind sink blockages are grease from food, cooking oil or soap. They go down the plughole and gradually accumulate into a stubborn, slimy coating inside the pipes.
When searching online for solutions, many social media users recommend vinegar or bicarbonate of soda and while these can be handy for general cleaning purposes, they aren’t particularly effective at breaking down greasy build-up. However, before you reach for the phone to call a plumber, Harrison Kral from Family Handyman suggests there’s a far simpler remedy that’s likely sitting right beside your sink.
Harrison said: “Grease can easily congeal in pipes and clog a sink drain, causing a whole host of issues. To break up a grease clog, attack it with something you likely have sitting right next to your sink – dish soap.”
How can washing-up liquid unblock a sink?
Grease is notoriously difficult to dissolve because it is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water, rendering most conventional cleaning products ineffective inside a drain.
This is precisely where washing-up liquid proves its worth. Specifically formulated to cut through stubborn food residue on dirty dishes, it contains surfactants that are also capable of breaking down and softening grease deposits within your pipes.
Washing-up liquid can help to clear a blocked drain by breaking down a grease clog into smaller droplets, transforming it into a fluid that loosens the blockage so it can be washed away.
Using washing-up liquid is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to unblock a sink, without the need to resort to harsh chemical drain cleaners.
Can vinegar or bicarbonate of soda tackle a blockage?
Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda are frequently touted online as a solution for unblocking drains, as combining the two creates a fizzing reaction that can help shift certain types of household grime.
While this reaction may give the impression that it can clear a drain, both ingredients are simply not strong enough to break down drain grease effectively.
At best, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda may help to dislodge some loose debris inside a drain, but it’s largely ineffective, and you’ll save considerable time by opting for washing-up liquid instead.
How to unblock a drain quickly
Simply fill a kettle with water and bring it to the boil. While waiting, remove any standing water from the sink.
Carefully pour the boiling water down the drain, as the heat will help to break down the grease. Next, squeeze a generous amount of washing-up liquid directly into the plughole.
Allow the washing-up liquid approximately 10 minutes to work its way down towards the blockage before checking whether it has cleared. When the time has elapsed, boil a fresh kettle of water and once again carefully pour it down the drain.
The combination of boiling water and washing-up liquid should work together to dissolve and wash away any greasy build-up.
For particularly stubborn blockages, you may need to repeat this process several times, but for a minor grease-related clog, this method should be sufficient to restore your sink to its normal draining capacity.
