A blocked sink is a common household nightmare, but a plumbing expert claims most people are tackling it all wrong. Instead of relying on chemical sprays that only mask the problem, two cupboard staples could provide a lasting solution for just pennies.
The Hidden Cause of Smelly Sinks
Every day, kitchen sinks handle greasy pans and food scraps. Over time, grime and grease build up inside pipes, leading to unpleasant odours or blockages. Jason Croxford, Director at Gas & Water Pipelines, explains: "Most people reach for a cleaning spray when their sink starts to smell, but that only tackles the surface. The real issue is what's lurking further down the drain and that needs a different approach entirely."
The Two-Ingredient Fix
To resolve the problem, you'll need just two ingredients: a cup of bicarbonate of soda and a cup of distilled white vinegar. Start by pouring the bicarbonate of soda directly into the plughole, ensuring as much as possible goes down. Then, pour the vinegar on top and immediately cover the plug with a stopper.
"That fizzing is exactly what you want to see," says Jason. "It's working to break down anything stuck inside the pipe—grease, food residue, blockages—and shifting it along." He emphasises the importance of covering the plug: "Letting it fizz away under the plug cover gives the reaction time to do its job properly rather than just bubbling up and out of the sink."
Final Flush
Once the fizzing stops, follow up by pouring some washing-up liquid down the drain along with warm water from the kettle. However, do not use boiling water. "Let the kettle sit for a few minutes before you pour," Jason advises. "You're looking for warm water, not boiling. Warm water helps to expand the pipes gently and flush everything through without causing any damage."
Don't Forget the Dishwasher
Many people overlook their dishwasher, which is connected directly to the kitchen sink drain. Jason warns: "Your dishwasher and your kitchen sink share the same drainage system, so if one is harbouring a build-up of grease and grime, it's going to affect the other." He recommends cleaning the dishwasher filter regularly and running a hot empty wash once a month with a cup of distilled white vinegar placed in a bowl at the bottom of the machine. "The vinegar breaks down grease and removes odours, and because it's going through the full wash cycle, it cleans parts of the system that you simply can't reach by hand."
