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How To Clean The Sink Drain
We all know how annoying blocked drains can be. Instead of waiting till the sink is blocked, you can do a routine clean of the sink drain using a strong liquid that will maintain your pipes and keep them washed, clog-free, and smelling fresh. Many people think that mixing bicarbonate of soda and an acetic acid solution is a good way of cleaning sink drains. However, this does not work when it comes to stubborn clogs.
When you mix these two solutions, there is usually a carbonated response which most people think is materials liquefying. This is simply not the case because the bicarbonate of soda is a base and acetic acid solution is acidic. These two elements do not have enough power to unclog the drain.
Many drain cleaners usually contain hazardous substances that can be risky not only to one’s wellbeing but also to the pipes. Some products, for instance, bleaching and antibacterial agents, are not suitable for septic systems. If you use them, use them as little as possible to retain the bacteria needed in the open drain and pipes. Here’s the procedure:
- Heat approximately 230ml of water and empty it in the sink. This helps in removing stubborn accumulation. Let it stand for five minutes and open the tap and let the cool water run.
- Next, get rid of whatever blockage is there. If any fragments are on the drain plug or sink guard, remove them. Use a plunger to slacken all the other obstructions.
- If your sink has the sink plug fixed, unbolt the nut that is found behind the pipe. Take out the holding bar.
- Discharge two cups of your choice of a multi-purpose sink drain cleaner (we recommend you do this at night) and let it sit throughout the night.
- In the morning, turn on the tap and let hot water flow for a couple of minutes.
You can use this particular method twice a month or just once a month if your home is small. This will help prevent the sink from clogging up with oil, soap, or cosmetic residue common for bathroom sinks. Please note that this is for prevention only. If the sink drain is badly clogged with hair, you might need to call in a plumber.
How To Clean Drain Pipes
Drainage pipes can be tough to clean if you are doing it manually as you cannot get to the inside. If you intend to get rid of stoppages or foul smells from your drainage pipes, mix detergent, water, acetic acid solution, and bicarbonate of soda and pour it into the sink. Alternatively, you can buy detergents from the store that are made specifically for cleaning drain pipes.
Procedure 1
- Get rid of greasy accumulation by pouring 2 liters of heated water mixed with a small amount of dishwashing soap until a soapy solution has formed. Pour the heated water from the cooker into the sink. If your drainage pipes are plastic, let the water sit for about 4-5 minutes and then flush it down the drain.
- After all the hot water has gone down the drain, turn on your hot water tap and let it drain. Repeat this process if the blockage is stubborn.
Procedure 2
- You can also buy a kitchen drain cleaner from a store or even online and use it to clean your pipes. Make sure you carefully read the given instructions on the packages as they may contain dangerous chemical substances that can affect your health.
- Spill the drainage detergent down the pipes according to the instructions on the pack. If the liquid remains at the top of your drainage pipe, your drain is blocked.
- Pour heated water down the sink. This is after the detergent has been sitting in the sink for a few minutes.
These are just examples of how to clean drain pipes. You can also contact a plumbing company if you want a professional to come in and do a thorough job, especially for those places where you cannot reach, or you have tried the above methods, and your sink is still clogged.
How To Clean Sink
Cleaning the sink can be a tedious job, but it needs to be done weekly. This is because it is in use throughout the week. As a result, there is usually buildup from dirty pans and containers, scraps of foods from plates and pots and oil, etc. If these are not dealt with carefully, they can cause the sink and drain to clog and deteriorate your drainage system causing your drain to emit a bad smell. This chore should be added to the list of the things to be done weekly. The following are guidelines on how to clean sinks:
1. Disinfect The Sink
Remove everything from the sink, from plates, cups, dish racks, or foodstuff. Rinse the sink to remove any noticeable fragments. Get some gloves, and be prepared to give it a good scrub. Since sinks are different, each sink type should be treated according to what it is made of.
- Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
This make of sink is more durable than alternative sinks types, and the element is not prone to rust. However, it does not react well when it comes into contact with food with acid, bleaching agents, and harsh scrubs. This can change the appearance of the sink. Specifically speaking, if you have food that contains acid, clean the dishes immediately instead of letting them pile in the sink and using a bleaching agent.
First, you need to wet your sink and sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda. Add a small quantity of dishwashing detergent to a sponge and dip it into hot water. Start by cleaning the edges of the sink and make your way down towards the drainage. You can add water and dishwashing soap as often as you need. Wash the sink with clean water. When you are done washing, wipe it dry with a cloth as the stainless steel sink tends to show spots left by water.
- White Kitchen Sink
This type of sink is prone to display corrosion and splashes of food, coffee, and wine pigments. You might need to use a bleaching agent and bicarbonate of soda if you want to remove those stains and bring back the usual look.
Wet the sink using a damp cloth. Dust the sink generously with bicarbonate of soda, covering it all thoroughly. Splash the bleaching agent on top of the bicarbonate of soda and start scrubbing. You can do this using either a sponge or a brush. When you are pleased with how it looks, wash the entire sink.
- Porcelain Kitchen Sink
This type of sink is also susceptible to rust and stains. To wash this type of sink, use the same method as the white kitchen sink. The only difference is that another approach should be applied to get rid of rust if the sink retains its pearly appearance.
Cut a lemon into two halves and dab it onto the salt. Brush it right on top of the rust until it comes off. Use warm, lathered, soapy water to do a final rinse and dry with a piece of cloth or microfiber.
2. Dab Valves And Knobs
Use water that is lathered when cleaning valves and knobs. If you want to reach places that are not easy to get to, use a toothbrush to scrub those areas. If there is any visibility of lime collection from mineral deposits, use soapy water mixed with an acetic acid solution in the last scrub.
3. Clean And Clear The Drainage Pipe
If there is one room that should always have an inviting scent, it should be the kitchen. If you smell any foul odour, here is how to clean kitchen sinks and drains.
- Use bicarbonate of soda and white acetic acid solution to clear a blocked drain. Use the ratio of 1:2 baking powder to the white acetic acid solution. To combine, put the bicarbonate of soda first and then drain it with the white acetic acid solution. After 15 minutes of the carbonated reaction, do a final rinse using hot water.
- Use lemon, salt, and ice to wash disposal. This mixture will leave your sink smelling fresh and can also be used to clean your waste dumping bin.