Cleaning the sink is a chore that many of us tend to neglect, but it’s important to do at least once a month to prevent serious clogs and keep the water flowing smoothly
Clearing out the sink drain is a chore many homeowners neglect, yet it’s crucial to tackle this task at least once monthly to avoid severe blockages and maintain proper water flow. Drains frequently become obstructed as food particles and soap residue travel down the pipes daily, slowly accumulating into a greasy, grimy coating within the plughole.
Without regular maintenance, this accumulation can ultimately lead to complete blockage and may also draw flies into the kitchen during warmer months, where they might even begin breeding.
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Nevertheless, cleaning experts from Bright and Beautiful have revealed that eliminating minor blockage build-ups is straightforward and requires just minutes – with nothing more than a packet of soda crystals needed, reports the Express.
They explained: “There’s no need to call a plumber for most ordinary or non-severe blockages. Try pouring boiling water down the sink, once it has drained away, fill a mug with soda crystals and pour it down the plughole.”
Soda crystals, alternatively called washing soda, are tiny white granules that are eco-friendly and represent one of the most powerful natural methods for dissolving grease.
These alkaline granules can break down acidic materials including grease, soap build-up, and food debris that typically create a sticky film inside pipework.
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Using soda crystals can assist in removing small blockages, maintain pipe cleanliness to ward off future obstructions, and keep your sink smelling pleasant by eliminating foul odours. It’s quite common to see white vinegar and baking soda touted on social media as solutions for clearing drain clogs, but when these two substances are mixed, they fizz and actually neutralise each other’s cleaning power.
Baking soda is alkaline as well and can help dissolve grease, but soda crystals are much stronger and will be more effective at clearing pipes quickly.
How to clear and unblock drains with soda crystals
- To start, fill your kettle up fully and let it boil, then carefully pour the hot water down the sink.
- This is done to loosen up the grease sitting in the drain and the heat will help make the soda crystals more effective.
- Next, open a packet of soda crystals and pour around 100g directly down the plughole as well. Let the soda crystals sit for at least five minutes to give them time to break down the grease.
- Then, fill up the kettle again and once it has boiled pour down the sink again. This flushes out the now loose grease and organic matter to clear the pipe.
Your sink drain should now be completely unblocked and cleared of any grease. Make sure to clean it out regularly to keep flies away and ensure your water drains properly.