Experts recommend washing-up liquid and hot water as the most effective way to clear a blocked or smelly drain, according to advice gathered from plumbing and bathroom specialists. The method targets grease and food residue, which are common causes of slow-draining kitchen sinks.
How to unblock a kitchen drain
Ross Bilben, sales director at Bathroom Spare Parts, said: "My first recommendation is washing-up liquid and hot water. This is particularly effective for kitchen sinks where grease, fat and food residue are often responsible for slow-draining water."
He advised pouring a generous squirt of washing-up liquid down the plughole, leaving it for 10–15 minutes, then flushing through with hot water. He warned against using boiling water on plastic waste pipes, as excessive heat can damage some fittings.
How to unblock a bathroom drain
For bathroom drains blocked by hair, James Roberts, director at Sanctuary Bathrooms, suggested using a long, sturdy cable tie with small notches cut into its edges. He said the teeth can hook out hair trapped below the plughole.
Roberts advised snipping shallow, angled notches near the pointed end, wearing gloves, and gently feeding the tie into the plughole before wiggling and withdrawing it. He recommended rinsing with warm water once the drain is running.
What other tools can help
Steve Chambers, managing director of Metro Rod, said a plunger can dislodge debris for small blockages. He also warned against chemical drain cleaners, saying they "can damage pipes and often don’t solve the root problem."
To prevent blockages, waste—especially oil-based items—should go in the bin, not down the drain. Anna Thunstrom, head of home insurance at Saga, noted that coffee grounds can clump together and cause blockages, while Jacob Larkin, spokesperson for Unblocktober, advised sticking to the three Ps rule: only flush pee, poo, and paper.
