13 Mar 2026
clogged sink cheat sheet:
- Most common causes: grease, soap scum, hair, food scraps & coffee grounds.
- Best first step: try bicarbonate of soda & clear vinegar method.
- Next option: use plunger to create suction and shift the blockage.
- For stubborn clogs: try a drain snake or drain stick to pull debris out.
- Avoid boiling water: many UK homes have PVC pipes which can warp under extreme heat.
- Skip harsh chemical cleaners: they can damage pipes and aren’t great for the planet.
- Prevent future blockages by not pouring oils/fats down the sink, using a sink strainer and running a monthly bicarb & vinegar flush to keep drains clear
Clogged sink? Fabulous. Because that’s exactly what you needed today, right?
Whether it's in the kitchen or the bathroom, a blocked sink is frustrating, unhygienic, and somehow always arrives just before any guests do. But DON’T PANIC (or pour a bottle of mystery chemicals down the plughole) just yet.
Because we’re here with the smol lowdown on how to unclog your sink without wrecking your pipes. Phew.
but first… why do sinks clog?
Honestly? Because we very often treat them like bins. So all sorts of things love to gather in your pipes:
- Grease and oil (which cool down, harden and cling on for dear life)
- Soap scum and hair (which stick together like besties)
- Food scraps and coffee grounds (who needs a compost bin when you’ve got a plughole?)
so how do you unclog it?
Let’s take it step by step with these 3 easy-to-use, blockage-busting methods:
1. bicarb & vinegar volcano.
This is a great pick for lightly clogged drains and can also be used as an easy, ongoing monthly maintenance.
- Run the hot tap for 10 seconds so there’s a little water in the pipework.
- Tip a cup of bicarbonate of soda down the plughole.
- Pour in a cup of clear white vinegar (enjoy the fizz as the clog clears).
- Pop the plug in the plug hole and wait 5-10 mins.
- Flush through with some more hot water.
If the fizz doesn’t fix it… it’s time to bring in some suction.
2. plunge right in.
Yes, plungers aren’t just for blocked toilets!
- Fill the sink with a few inches of water to help create proper suction.
- Block up the sink overflow with a damp cloth or sponge.
- Place the plunger over the plughole.
- Plunge up and down steadily for 30 seconds or so.
- Remove plunger and run the tap to check for drainage.
- Rinse with hot water once it’s flowing again.
N.B. A quick word to the wise: if you’ve used that plunger in your toilet… give the sink a serious clean afterwards. Our multi purpose spray or foaming bathroom spray will do the trick.
3. send in the snake.
Also known as: a drain snake, drain stick or “that bendy, unclogging thingy”, plumbing snakes are great for those stubborn clogs that you suspect are sitting close by to the plughole.
- Push the snake into the drain until you feel resistance.
- Twist and rotate it to break up the blockage.
- Rinse with hot water to test if it’s cleared.
And If you’ve got a deeper blockage that’s not sitting up near the plughole? A metal snake with a crank handle might be your best bet.
But if you’re still stuck? It’s probably time to consider calling in a plumber.
common blocked-sink questions…
should I remove the U-bend?
You can… but it’s not a casual Sunday DIY job. If you don’t reseal everything perfectly, you could end up with water leaks and nasty smells creeping into your home.
So we’d only recommend this if you’re feeling confident.
what about chemical drain cleaners?
They might work… but long-term? Not great. Most professionals say skip the harsh stuff because these chemicals can actually damage your pipes over time and turn a small clog into a big replacement job. Plus, they’re not exactly gentle on the planet.
can’t I just pour boiling water down the plug?
We know. It’s all over the internet. Just chuck a kettle of boiling water down, job done!
Except… it’s really not.
Most UK homes use PVC piping, and those pipes aren’t designed to handle boiling water (100°C). Pouring it straight down your plughole can melt, deform or weaken the plastic, which might clear your clog temporarily, but leave you with a leak or warped plumbing later. Not exactly ideal.
prevention is better than cure.
So keep your sink happier (and less grotty) with these easy habits:
- Don’t pour oil or fat down the drain.
- Skip the coffee grounds and food scraps. Compost them instead!
- Use a sink strainer. It’s like a bouncer for your plughole.
- Once a month? Go for the bicarb & vinegar maintenance fizz.
Stick to these ground rules and you should find your sink is free flowing and ready for that next batch of washing up. Good stuff!