Unclog bathroom sink without chemicals

Step 11 Test, compost, maintain

Run the water; see the clean water go down the clean uninhabited pipes!

Look below, are there leaks? Tighten nuts as needed. 

What to do with this big biological party in the tub?

Compost it!

Every 3-4 weeks you can put 1/2 cup baking soda followed by 2 cups hot vinegar, wait 1 minute, than add 2 cups super hot water to keep pipes colony-free.

Hydrogen ions from the vinegar react with the bicarbonate ions from the baking soda to form carbonic acid. The acid acts on the biofilm while decomposing into water and carbon dioxide!  So simple and clean!  See this instructable by

I don't bother with that, I just clean out the pipes about 3 times a year.
 

Comments

[phatpatfoley]

Hey all, I am 3 year plumber helper and let me tell you, bathroom sinks can be nasty. however, they do sell a plastic tool that slides in under your stopper and can pull all the gunk up with it. I've seen em at home depot, and carry them on my truck. They work great. And remember that sometimes taking apart the trap can he a horrible thing, and cost you big time.

[SurferGeek]

Those things are really only good for hair clogs and you can do the same thing with a bent clothes hanger. 

[foxfirekenzie]

Oh boy! You have the most gnarly sink I have ever seen! Great photos and if it works for you, it will work for anyone! :)
I am off to do this to my own now. Thanks for the boost.
Kenzie

[katmckee]

Thanks foxfirekenzie! I meant to mention that I live in Florida and the humidity levels make for astoundingly microbial-friendly habitat. Enjoy your colony removal, and let us know how it went.

[foxfirekenzie]

Oooohhhh.....that explains a lot.  Well, I wonder what the excuse for my nasty sink is in dry Utah?  Laziness maybe? 
Thanks again for the boost.  I have meant to clean my sink for ages but just didn't want to do it because I hate that gunk!
Kenzie
 

[katmckee]

Try to appreciate the gunk as  a friendly colony of little living things that are trying to make it in the world like the rest of us! Without microbes, we'd all be dead.