Introduction: Basic Drain Unclogging (sink) With Baking Soda and Vinegar

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Using cheap household (and more importantly non-caustic) ingredients, you can unclog many sink drains using chemical/mechanical action. The baking soda and vinegar will expand after mixing in the pipes, you plug up the top side, so the only place it can go is pushing the clog back further down the drain.

Step 1: Equipment Needed

  • Something to tightly plug the drain (once you remove the actual mechanical plug) - for my particular delta sink a Champagne cork flipped upside down was perfect.
  • Something to seal the emergency drain (if applicable) higher up on the inside rim of the sink basin (I used a waterproof bluetooth speaker that had a big suction cup on the bottom)
  • baking soda (I don't measure, maybe 4 or 5 tablespoons worth)
  • White vinegar
  • Bamboo skewer

Step 2: Remove the Mechanical Drain From Under the Basin

wrench required, put the screw back in after

Step 3: Stick Something Down the Drain and Wiggle Around to at Least Get the Drain to Work Slowly

I used a bamboo skewer.

Step 4: Once Drain Is Clear, Dump Down the Baking Soda

Run the sink's water for a split second to force it closer to the clog.

Confirm that drain is still clear-ish with bamboo skewer.

Step 5: Have "Plugs" Ready

might need 3 hands to do this quickly

  • seal off emergency holes
  • pour in vinegar until it begins to foam up and travel into basin (then still pour another ounce or 2)
  • Seal up drain hole with cork (keep face away in case pressure builds and it shoots out)
  • Wait 2 or 3 min (until you stop seeing bubbles sneak around the cork)
  • run hot water until drain is clear
  • Repeat as necessary (I did it twice to be fully clear).