How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain

I don’t need to tell you that sink drains can get gross fast. Between soap, toothpaste, shaving cream, hair, and anything else that washes off your skin, it all manages to stick together and build up. This gunk collects in the basin, around the drain plug and, over time, slows the plumbing itself to a gurgling halt.

When you notice that the sink water pools while you’re washing your hands, it’s time to get clear it out. Here's everything you need to know about cleaning the drain in your bathroom sink.

Four Ways to Clean the Bathroom Sink Drain

Cleaning your bathroom plumbing is usually a staged process. Start with the easiest method because that might be all you need. If the going gets tough, level up.

Option 1. Flush with Hot Water

1. Plug the drain in the bottom of the sink.
2. Fill the basin with hot water.
3. Unplug the drain. The force of a full basin of water entering the drain can often be enough to cleanse the walls of the pipes and rinse away buildup.
4. Use a toothbrush to clean any residual buildup around the sink drain.

Option 2. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

1. Remove the drain plug and pour a half-cup of baking soda into the drain.
2. Measure a cup of white vinegar in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat it for one minute, then pour the entire volume into the drain.
3. There’s going to be some foaming and gurgling, but leave the activation alone for 10 minutes.
4. After 10 minutes, measure, heat and pour another cup of white vinegar down the drain.
5. Let it sit for another 10 minutes, then close the drain, fill the sink basin with hot tap water, and repeat the flush outlined in Option 1.
6. Use a toothbrush to clean any residual buildup around the sink drain.

Option 3. Use Store-Bought Cleaner

1. Remove the drain plug.
2. Measure and pour the recommended volume of enzymatic cleaners into the drain hole. These cleaners are thicker than water or white vinegar, so it’ll cling to the outside walls of the drain all the way down to the P-trap. The formula itself is also worth noting: enzymatic cleaners are designed to dissolve stains, fibers, oils and proteins that build up over time.
3. Follow the instructions, allowing the cleaner to sit undisturbed for the recommended time.
4. Rinse clean, and then close the drain. Fill the sink basin with hot tap water and repeat the flush outlined in Option 1.
5. Use a toothbrush to clean any residual buildup around the sink drain.

Option 4: Use a Drain Snake for Stubborn Blockages

You only need to do this step if your sink is still slow to drain.

1. Remove the drain plug.
2. Lower the flexible snake into the drain, sawing the toothy edges along the plumbing and feeling for signs of resistance. If your snake has a rotating handle, use it to help twist through the pipes.
3. Retract the snake periodically to check for and remove any buildup. If you pull a large chunk of hair out, you probably found the culprit.
4. If a long plastic snake isn’t resolving a blockage, an auger might be necessary to clear deeper blockages.
5. Once you remove a clog, we recommend cleansing the pipes with a baking soda and vinegar treatment to eliminate odors and clear remaining debris.
6. After allowing the baking soda and white vinegar to get fizzy for 10 minutes, close the drain, fill the sink basin with hot tap water, and repeat the flush outlined in Option 1.

Simple Ways to Keep Your Sink Drain Clear

• Remove hair from the sink. Don’t let it rinse down the drain.
• Run hot water for a few extra seconds after brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Remove and clean the drain plug more often (weekly, at minimum).

How Often Should You Clean Your Sink Drain?

A quick monthly clean keeps drain pipes flowing nicely. Do a hot water flush once a month and plan to do a deeper clean with baking soda and white vinegar at the start of every season. If you do that, you might never need to use enzymatic treatments or drain snakes.