Our personal hygiene provides a strong line of defense against the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to reduce the virus transmission, we are recommended to wash our hands more diligently with warm water and soap. However, cleaning our hands can become difficult when there are plumbing problems in our households, such as a clogged sink. If we’re unable to use the sink, this poses a major obstacle to our personal hygiene.

Sinks are among the most used plumbing facilities in a home. With frequent use, there is a higher chance of the sink getting clogged by debris and sediments. Once a sink becomes clogged, the water takes longer to drain, or it may not even drain at all. Your clogged sink may overflow with dirty and unsanitary water, which could be a potential health hazard amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During COVID-19, we must make sure our plumbing systems can grant us access to clean, hygienic water. As such, a clogged sink should be treated with urgency. Depending on the severity of the clog, you may need to call a plumber for assistance. For less severe cases, you can try out these eight solutions to clear a clogged sink in your home:

Solution #1: Plunger

The plunger can be one of the most effective solutions to clear a clogged sink. With this method, you should hold the plunger over the sink drain, making sure to create a firm seal. Next, plunge vigorously to get rid of the clog. You may need to pour some warm water down the drain to make the plunging more effective. With enough effort, the suction should clear away the clog.

Double sinks are trickier to unclog, because you have an additional set of pipes that can diffuse the pressure from the plunger. You should seal the unclogged sink with a stopper or a wet cloth, which will aid in the effectiveness of your plunger.

Solution #2: Boiled Water

Boiled water is another common solution to clear clogged sinks. To begin, you will need the water boiled at a sufficiently hot temperature. The heat is effective in dissolving and disintegrating most debris that clogs up the sink drain. However, you need to take precautions with this method. If the water is exceedingly hot, the heat may loosen the joints of your PVC pipes or even damage a porcelain sink bowl.

The boiled water should be poured down the drain slowly in gradual stages. Give the boiling water a few seconds between every pour. If successful, you should see the results right away, and the clogged sink will become cleared once more.

Solution #3: Drain Snake

The drain snake is made of a long flexible rope that ends with a spiral of metal. A drain snake is cheap, readily available, and easy to operate. Its malleable design allows the drain snake to bend around the pipes, making this particularly effective against clogs in complicated spots.

To clear the clogged sink, start by inserting the snake deep into the pipe. Once it reaches the clog, begin twisting the snake in a methodical rhythm. This motion helps to catch and remove the clog.

Solution #4: Wire Hanger

In lieu of a drain snake, you may also try to clear the clogged sink with a wire hanger. First, straighten out the hanger as well as you can. Bend one end to create a small hook. Next, push that small hook past the drain cover and start moving it around. Ideally, you will be able to fish out the debris that is causing the clog.

With this method, just be careful that you aren’t pushing anything further down the drain. You should also exercise caution when handling the wire, since it may scratch your drain’s surface.

Solution #5: Wet & Dry Vacuum

If you have access to a wet or dry vacuum, this can be an effective solution to unclog drains. There should be a setting available to vacuum liquids specifically. Place the vacuum over the drain and create the tightest seal possible. Then, turn the vacuum to the highest setting. This will draw the clog up the pipe and into the vacuum bag.

Solution #6: Baking Soda & Vinegar

With this method, mix equal amounts of baking soda and vinegar together in a cup. Just as the concoction starts to fizzle, immediately pour it down the drain. The mixture will remove the clog built up in the pipes. Leave the mixture overnight for the best results, but make sure you run hot water to clear away any remnants on the next day.

You can also use water pressure to improve the potency of this clogged sink solution. After pouring the baking soda and vinegar mixture down the drain, insert the stopper and then fill the sink with water. Remove the stopper approximately an hour later. The water pressure and weight should help to dislodge the loosened gunk.

Solution #7: Salt & Baking Soda

Salt and baking soda are another effective combination to clear clogged sink. First, mix a half cup of salt with another half cup of baking soda. Next, pour the mixture down the drain. Leave it for several hours before flushing down boiling water into the drain. If successful, the sink will become less clogged as a result.

Solution #8: Caustic Soda

For more aggressive clogs, you can try using caustic soda (also known as sodium hydroxide) as a potential solution. However, be careful while handling this chemical because it can burn your skin. You should wear protective gear for your eyes and gloves for your hands. If you don’t feel comfortable with handling this chemical, you can contact a professional plumber for help instead.

To apply caustic soda, add ¾ gallon of cold water into a bucket along with three cups of the chemical. Stir well using a wooden spoon. When the mixture begins to heat up and make a fizzling sound, pour it into your clogged drain. Leave the mixture for about half an hour. Finally, flush boiling water down the drain.