sink drain unclogged with clear water running freely

6 Ways to Unclog a Drain Without Using Caustic Chemicals

A plugged-up sink, shower, or tub drain sends most people running for either a bottle of caustic drain cleaner or a plumber’s phone number. But wait. Unclogging a drain could be a job you can do yourself successfully without caustic chemicals or a big bill.

sink drain unclogged with clear water running freely

You have several options, each one outlined below. It makes sense to start with the easiest, most likely solution. Then, if that doesn’t work, move to the next option.

Assess the situation

Turn on taps to allow water down other drains in the house. If everything else is flowing freely, you can be fairly certain you have a localized clog—and probably near that clogged drain’s opening.

If this involves other drains, you could have a bigger problem that may require a professional. Assuming it’s only one drain, let’s move on.

1. Boiling water

It makes sense to start with the cheapest option: Get a large pot and boil up as much water as it will hold. Now carefully and slowly, pour boiling water down the drain in two to three stages so that the hot water can work for a few minutes between each pour. This is the easiest and quickest way to unclog a drain if it works, which usually it does with a satisfying swoosh.

Caution: If you are dealing with a very old, antique porcelain sink and/or PVC pipes, there’s a slight chance that boiling water could cause damage. In this case, fill the pot with your hottest tap water.

Still not running freely? Let’s move to the next option.

2. Blue Dawn plus boiling water

Pour 1/2 cup of Blue Dawn detergent (no substitutes for best result) into the drain. For tough clogs, use a full cup. While that sits, bring a half pot of water (about 4 cups) to boil. Pour this directly into the drain very slowly but steadily to avoid getting burned by splashing water. Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then run water down the drain to check how freely water flows.

If the clog remains or seems to be clearing, but the drain is still slow-running, repeat the boiling water step above until the drain runs free.

3. Baking soda, vinegar plus boiling water

Measure out 1/3 cup baking soda and get as much of it down the drain as you can. Follow with 1/3 cup white vinegar. It will fizz up and make quite a show. Allow it to sit for at least an hour, or overnight if possible. In the morning, follow with one or two quarts of boiling water.

You will be tempted to overdo it with the baking soda and vinegar assuming that if a small amount is good, more is better. Learn here why that might be a bad idea, and to get a good chuckle.

4. Reach in

Remove the strainer that is part of the drain plug, then reach into the drain with your fingers (latex gloves would be a good idea here) and pull out any solids. As gross as this might be, it is often all that’s needed to clear a slow-moving or clogged drain. If this sink has a pop-up, reaching in may not be possible. In that case, move to the next option.

Drain Snake from DollarTree5. Drain Snake

If you cannot reach the clog with your fingers, your next best friend is this cheap plastic tool called a drain snake for drain rooter. These come in various brand names such as Zip-It, available at some home improvement centers or online.

Instead of paying $8 or more, look for Drain Rooter Plastic Drain Snake at most dollar stores for $1.25. Check your local DollarTree for the tool pictured, which as I write is $1.25. You can order online from DollarTree.com  but keep in mind that with an online order you will have to pay for a pack of 24.

This simple tool is flexible enough to allow you to push it down into the turns of the drain. It has teeth along each side; once you’re in and twist it, you’ll be able to pull out all drain offenders. Keep working at it, until you pull out as much as possible. Now run the hot water and that should clear things up nicely.

The drain snake can be used in a sink drain with or without a pop-up, because it is thin enough to fit in the drain along side a pop-up.

This handy dandy tool is worth its weight in gold. It’s great to clear drains but also works well to maintain drains before they get clogged.

 

Fast and easy, no expensive plumber required. Made in the USA.

6. Wet-dry vacuum

If you have a wet-dry vacuum, it just might help you to clear the drain without having to get your hands dirty. First, set it to “wet” so it vacuums liquids. Cover or close the drain’s vent. Make the tightest seal you can with the hose end of the vacuum over the drain.

Get creative with duct tape or the like. With the vacuum set to its most powerful setting, it can be powerful enough to pull that clog right out of the drain. Don’t forget to clean the vacuum tank!

No guarantees

While I offer no guarantees because not all clogged drains are created equal, attempting to clear a clogged drain yourself (before spending money or just living with it until you have a major disaster) is worth a shot. The worst thing is that you will still have a clogged drain.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve successfully cleared a stubborn clogged drain—especially in a bathroom sink or shower—by first using my trusty Zip-It, followed by the Blue Dawn and boiling water trick. Seriously awesome!

 

First published: 1-29-19; Updated and republished 2-7-24


 

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24 replies
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  1. Luis Keeton says:

    At times it happens we might not have access to caustic chemicals, and we are facing issues with clogged drains. In such cases, I feel the 6 ways that you’ve shared are good to go. I make use of vinegar plus boiling water. Trust it cleans up the drains well, I use this technique at night as it takes up to one hour. I would like to try out the Zip-it tool for once at least, it sounds interesting.

    Reply
  2. Mer says:

    I did get the zip it but it got stuck in my drain, it was hard to pull out. I used a Mighty cable tie and it works wonders. Cannot believe how well the drain runs freely now.

    Mer Hoff

    Reply
  3. Snowbound says:

    A plumber gave me this tip decades ago. As a monthly preventative to ward off toothpaste and soap scum buildup in the bathroom sink, pour baking soda down the drain, followed by the vinegar. The chemical reaction will dissolve the buildup.

    Reply
    • Shannon Maynard says:

      Just thought I would share this with you. To remove soap scum and leave a nice scent and shiny shower walls.
      Wet a dryer sheet and wipe the shower walls and tub. Rinse with water.

      Reply
  4. LW says:

    I clicked over to see why using copious amounts of baking soda and vinegar might be a bad idea and had the best laugh I’ve had in a long time. I can just imagine all the guests…literally laughing out loud …

    Reply
  5. Kathleen A French says:

    “STRANGELY HORRIFIED and SATISFIED all at the same time, LOL”. I have tried several of these methods and they really have worked for me. I now use the Blue Dawn and boiling water as a preventive measure monthly, particularly for my bathroom where 4 adults with long hair shower daily! I am certain that it has saved me MANY plumber dollars because, when I first read Mary’s article on this issue, I did the “Zip It” method and was STRANGELY HORRIFIED and SATISFIED all at the same time. LOL!

    Reply
  6. Alba says:

    Recently, a plumber friend told me off the record that if it’s a shower or bathroom sink that’s clogged try pouring baby oil down the drain let it sit an hour and follow with hot water.
    I haven’t needed to try it yet but it makes sense that the clogs are probably mostly just hair and the baby oil would make is slick and possibly untangle the knots.
    Thanks for all you do❣️❣️

    Reply
  7. Libby M says:

    I love the Zip it!!! It has unclogged my drains and found the worst yucky hair…I love it! My family thinks I’m nuts but I get excited to go use it, lol!

    Reply
    • Pat C says:

      The sewer smell may be the result of a u-bend, p-trap, j-trap, what ever you cal,l it drying out and allowing air to come up from the sewage system. U-bends are designed to have water in them to stop the fumes from the sewer wafting into your house. Generally, drains that are used regularly will have water in them. but if you have a tub or shower that you don’t use, make sure to pour a bucket of water down the drain every month or so to keep water in the u-bend.

      Reply
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