Unclog a Double Kitchen Sink with Standing Water (6 Steps)

You know that moment when your kitchen sink just won’t drain, and dirty water just sits there staring at you? I’ve been there too. It’s annoying, gross, and always happens when you’re in the middle of something. But don’t panic—you don’t always need a plumber. The best way to unclog a double kitchen sink with standing water is to first remove the water, check for visible blockages, and use safe household methods like baking soda and vinegar before trying anything fancy. In this article, I’ll walk you through a super simple guide to help you fix it fast and easy.

Clear Out the Standing Water First

Before doing anything else, you need to remove the dirty water from your kitchen sink. You can’t fix the clog if the water is still sitting there. This step may sound basic, but it’s very important and often skipped by people in a hurry.

Start by using a small container like a cup or bowl to scoop the water into a bucket. You can also use an old pot or even a takeout container. If the sink is really full, be patient and keep scooping until most of the water is gone.

After removing the water, use a towel or sponge to soak up the last bit. This keeps your work area clean and prevents spills. Be sure to wear gloves while doing this because the water might be dirty and smelly.

Check both sides of the double sink. Often, one side may drain slower than the other. This can give you a clue where the clog is located. If one side is totally blocked and the other side drains slowly, the clog is probably near the middle pipe underneath.

Also, inspect for any visible objects blocking the drain. Sometimes food particles, grease, or even a piece of silverware may be stuck. Use a flashlight and look down the drain.

You might be tempted to turn on the garbage disposal, but don’t do this just yet. If the disposal is blocked or jammed, turning it on could make the clog worse or damage the motor.

So, your first goal here is to get a clean and dry workspace. Removing the standing water helps you move to the next steps without making a mess or splashing dirty water around.

• Scoop out water with a bowl or cup
• Use a towel to absorb the rest
• Check for visible items in the drain
• Avoid using the garbage disposal at this point
• Look inside both sides of the sink

Try Baking Soda and Vinegar

Now that your sink is free of standing water, it’s time to use a natural and safe cleaning method: baking soda and vinegar. This combo is great because it’s gentle, non-toxic, and usually already in your kitchen.

Start by pouring about one cup of baking soda directly into the clogged drain. Try to get as much as you can inside the pipe. You may need a spoon to push it in deeper. Don’t worry if it doesn’t all go in—it will still help.

Next, pour one cup of white vinegar down the same drain. As soon as the vinegar hits the baking soda, it will start to fizz and bubble. That reaction helps loosen up grease, soap scum, and food particles stuck in your pipes.

Cover the drain immediately with a drain plug or even a small plate. This helps keep the reaction inside the pipe where it needs to work. Leave it covered for about 15 to 20 minutes.

While waiting, boil a pot of hot water. After the fizzing time is over, slowly pour the boiling water down the same drain. This helps push out all the loosened gunk.

You can repeat this process one or two more times if needed. It’s safe to do and doesn’t harm your pipes like harsh chemicals can.

If your sink has a garbage disposal, try doing the baking soda and vinegar treatment on that side too. Just make sure the disposal is off and unplugged.

This method won’t always solve very stubborn clogs, but it works great for common ones caused by grease, food, and soap.

• Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drain
• Add 1 cup of vinegar and cover the drain
• Wait 15–20 minutes
• Flush with boiling water
• Repeat the process if needed

Use a Plunger the Right Way

Using a plunger might seem old-school, but it works really well if done properly. You need the right kind of plunger—one with a flat bottom, made for sinks. Don’t use a toilet plunger, as it’s not built for flat surfaces.

Make sure there is enough water in the sink to cover the rubber part of the plunger. If you already removed the standing water, add a little clean water just for this purpose.

Place the plunger directly over the drain and push down to make a tight seal. Now start plunging up and down with force, but not too hard at first. You want to create suction, not splash water everywhere.

Do this for 20 to 30 seconds. If your double sink has two drains, plug the other drain with a wet cloth or the drain stopper. This helps keep the pressure focused on the clogged side.

If you start hearing gurgling sounds or if the water starts moving, that means you’re making progress. After plunging, remove the plunger and see if the water drains. You might need to do it a few times.

Rinse with hot water after plunging to help move the loosened debris further down the pipe.

If nothing moves after a few rounds of plunging, don’t lose hope. You can move to the next step.

• Use a flat-bottom plunger
• Cover the drain with enough water
• Plunge with up-down motion for 30 seconds
• Plug the other sink side for better pressure
• Rinse with hot water afterward

Check the P-Trap Under the Sink

The P-trap is that U-shaped pipe under your kitchen sink. It often catches food, grease, and small objects, and sometimes that’s exactly where the clog is.

Before doing anything, place a bucket or old towel under the P-trap to catch water. Wear gloves—this part can be messy.

Use your hands or a wrench to unscrew the connectors at both ends of the P-trap. Be gentle so you don’t crack the pipes.

Carefully remove the P-trap and dump the contents into the bucket. You might find food bits, grease, or even something like a bottle cap stuck in there.

Clean the pipe with a brush or an old toothbrush. You can also run water through it to clear anything that might be stuck.

Once clean, screw the P-trap back into place tightly. Turn on the faucet and see if the water drains better.

If the water still doesn’t move, the clog might be further down the pipe, which means you’ll need to try a drain snake.

• Put a bucket under the pipe
• Remove and clean the P-trap
• Check for food or objects inside
• Use a brush or running water to clean it
• Reattach and test the sink

Snake the Drain Like a Pro

A drain snake or plumber’s auger can help if the clog is deeper in the pipe system. It’s a flexible tool that you push through the pipe to break up blockages.

Start by inserting the snake into the drain or the pipe opening under the sink (after removing the P-trap again if needed).

Turn the handle slowly while feeding the cable into the pipe. You’ll feel resistance when it hits the clog. Keep twisting gently until the snake pushes through.

Once you get through the clog, pull the snake back slowly while continuing to turn it. It may bring gunk back with it, so be ready with paper towels or a trash bag.

After snaking, rinse the drain with hot water to flush out anything left behind.

If you don’t have a snake, you can buy a cheap one at a hardware store. There are also plastic hair clog removers that work for shallow clogs.

This step often clears the toughest clogs that the baking soda, vinegar, or plunger couldn’t.

• Insert the snake into the drain or pipe
• Turn the handle and push forward
• Break through the blockage
• Pull out slowly and clean the snake
• Rinse with hot water

Use the Garbage Disposal Properly

If your sink has a garbage disposal, it could be the reason your drain is clogged. Food buildup, grease, or even foreign objects can jam the disposal and stop water from draining.

First, make sure the disposal is turned off. Unplug it or turn off the power switch.

Shine a flashlight into the disposal and look for anything stuck. You can use tongs or pliers to carefully remove it. Never stick your hand inside the disposal.

Once it’s clear, plug the sink, fill it halfway with warm water, and then remove the plug while turning on the disposal. This helps flush out any leftover debris.

You can also reset the disposal by pressing the red button usually found at the bottom of the unit.

If the disposal hums but doesn’t work, it may be jammed. You can use an Allen wrench (hex key) to manually turn the disposal from underneath and loosen it.

Be careful with this step and follow the instruction manual if you have one.

• Turn off and unplug the disposal
• Look for items stuck inside
• Remove objects with tongs, not your hands
• Reset with red button
• Use water to flush after cleaning

Final Thoughts

Fixing a double kitchen sink with standing water may feel frustrating at first, but once you take it step by step, it’s actually very doable. You don’t need fancy tools or harsh chemicals to clear the clog. Simple household items and patience go a long way. Whether it’s removing the water, using baking soda and vinegar, plunging, cleaning the P-trap, snaking the pipe, or checking the garbage disposal, you’ve got everything you need to handle it. Next time your sink slows down, you’ll know exactly what to do and how to fix it with confidence.

Method	Tools Needed	Time Needed	Best For
Removing standing water	Cup, towel, bucket	10 minutes	Prepping for cleaning
Baking soda and vinegar	Baking soda, vinegar, kettle	30 minutes	Mild clogs, grease, food debris
Plunger	Flat-bottom plunger	15 minutes	Moderate clogs
Cleaning P-trap	Bucket, wrench, gloves	20 minutes	Food buildup inside the pipe
Using a drain snake	Drain snake, gloves	30 minutes	Deep or tough clogs
Checking garbage disposal	Flashlight, tongs, Allen wrench	20 minutes	Jammed or blocked disposal unit

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it safe to use baking soda and vinegar on all kitchen sinks?

Yes, it is safe to use baking soda and vinegar on most kitchen sinks, including those with garbage disposals and stainless steel. This method is gentle, natural, and effective at breaking down light blockages such as grease or food particles. However, if your sink pipes are very old or fragile, use smaller amounts to avoid any pressure build-up. Unlike chemical cleaners, this method won’t damage pipes or the environment. It’s also safe for homes with kids and pets. Just don’t overdo it or mix with other cleaners.

Can I use boiling water to unclog a sink with PVC pipes?

You can, but be careful. Boiling water can soften or damage PVC pipes if poured too fast or too often. Let the water cool just slightly before pouring it into the drain. It should still be hot enough to melt grease but not so hot that it harms the plastic. For metal pipes, full boiling water is usually fine. Always pour the water slowly and in stages. Avoid using boiling water if you already used a chemical drain cleaner, as mixing could be dangerous.

Do I need to call a plumber if all steps fail?

If you’ve tried everything—like removing water, baking soda and vinegar, plunging, cleaning the P-trap, snaking the drain, and checking the garbage disposal—but your sink is still clogged, then yes, it’s time to call a plumber. A professional can inspect the deeper pipes and use stronger tools like motorized augers. Sometimes the blockage is far down the main drain line, and fixing that requires experience. Calling a plumber saves you time and prevents damage if the problem is big or unknown.

Is it okay to use chemical drain cleaners?

Chemical drain cleaners work fast but can harm your pipes over time. They’re made with strong acids that eat away at clogs, but they also wear down the pipe walls, especially in older systems. These cleaners can be dangerous if inhaled or mixed with other products. They’re also bad for the environment. Use them only as a last resort and always follow the label instructions. Natural methods like baking soda and vinegar are much safer and usually do the trick without causing harm.

Can I use a plunger if the sink has a garbage disposal?

Yes, you can use a plunger if your sink has a garbage disposal, but be sure the disposal is turned off and unplugged first. Plug the other side of the sink to focus the pressure. Don’t plunge directly on the disposal side—use the non-disposal drain instead. After plunging, flush with hot water. If the clog was in the disposal, check it manually for stuck objects. This method is usually safe and helpful for light to moderate clogs when done carefully.

Do I need special tools to clean the P-trap?

No, you don’t need special tools to clean the P-trap. Most of the time, you just need a bucket, gloves, and maybe a wrench or pliers. You can even use your hands if the connectors are easy to unscrew. Once the trap is removed, clean it with a brush or rinse it out in another sink or with a hose. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to clear a sink clog without needing a plumber.

Is it possible to prevent future clogs?

Yes, you can prevent future clogs by doing simple things like not putting grease, coffee grounds, or large food bits down the drain. Use a sink strainer to catch debris and empty it often. Run hot water down the drain after each use to clear any small buildup. Doing a monthly cleaning with baking soda and vinegar also helps keep your pipes fresh and clear. These small habits go a long way in stopping clogs before they start.

Can I use a wire hanger instead of a drain snake?

You can use a wire hanger as a quick alternative to a drain snake for shallow clogs. Straighten the hanger and bend one end into a small hook. Carefully insert it into the drain and try to fish out hair or food bits. This works best for clogs near the surface. Be careful not to scratch your sink or push the clog deeper. While it’s not as flexible as a real snake, it’s a handy trick in a pinch.