How to Unclog Bathroom Sink Clogged with Hair (6 Steps)

You know that awful feeling when your bathroom sink just won’t drain, and the water starts pooling up like a tiny dirty lake? You’re brushing your teeth or washing your hands, and suddenly the water is taking forever to go down. If this has happened to you, it’s likely clogged with hair. But don’t worry—you can fix it yourself, and it’s easier than you might think. In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to unclog your bathroom sink clogged with hair using simple methods you can try right now at home.

Remove the Stopper First to See What’s Going On

Most bathroom sink clogs from hair begin just under the stopper. That’s where hair, soap, and gunk get stuck together over time. So, the very first thing you should do is take the stopper out. This step might seem small, but it makes a huge difference.

To remove the stopper, you can start by checking if it just lifts out. Some stoppers can be pulled straight up. But most are attached under the sink with a metal clip or a pivot rod. Get down under the sink and look behind the drainpipe.

You’ll see a horizontal rod going into the pipe—this is connected to your stopper. There’s usually a small nut or clip holding it in place. Use your fingers or pliers to loosen it and gently pull the rod out. Now the stopper should come right out.

Once the stopper is out, take a good look. Most of the time, you’ll see a lump of hair stuck to the bottom. You can use a paper towel or a gloved hand to pull that mess out. It’s kind of gross, yes—but satisfying too.

After you’ve pulled out the visible hair, rinse the stopper and clean it with soap and water. Then look down the drain to check if you can see any more hair stuck deeper inside. If it looks pretty clean, you can put the stopper back in and test the water flow. But don’t stop here—there’s more you can do to make sure it’s completely clear.

• Look under sink to find the pivot rod.
• Unscrew the nut or clip gently.
• Remove the stopper and pull out the hair.
• Rinse the stopper clean before putting it back.
• Check drain to see if water drains better.

Use a Plastic Hair Removal Tool to Pull Out More Hair

Once the stopper is out, it’s time to use one of the easiest and cheapest tools you can buy—a plastic drain snake. These are long, flexible plastic strips with tiny teeth on the sides, and they are made just for pulling out hair from drains. You can find them at most stores, and they cost less than a coffee.

Hold the plastic tool and gently push it down into the sink drain. Don’t force it—just wiggle it in. As it slides down, it grabs onto the clumps of hair and gunk. Then, slowly pull it back up. You’ll probably see a long, disgusting bunch of hair and slimy stuff coming out. That’s the stuff that was stopping your water from draining.

If your sink is still slow, try putting the tool in a few more times. You can twist it a little to catch more hair on the sides. Each time you pull it out, wipe it off with a paper towel and repeat. This simple method often removes more hair than you think is possible.

When you’re done, run hot water down the drain to flush away any leftover debris. You might be surprised at how fast your sink drains now. It’s honestly a great feeling to fix something like this yourself.

• Buy a cheap plastic drain snake tool.
• Slide it slowly down the drain hole.
• Pull it out with hair and gunk attached.
• Clean and repeat several times.
• Flush the sink with hot water to clear remains.

Pour Boiling Water Slowly to Melt and Move Gunk

Boiling water might sound too simple, but it works—especially when the clog includes soap scum and greasy stuff holding the hair together. Boiling water can melt and loosen up the mess so it flows down more easily.

First, boil a big pot of water. Make sure it’s not just hot from the tap—it needs to be boiling for this to work well. Carefully take the pot over to your bathroom sink. If your sink is made of ceramic or porcelain, it’s usually safe, but still, pour slowly and gently to avoid any cracks.

Start by pouring half the pot down the drain. Give it a few minutes. The heat will begin to loosen the clog and move soft parts down the pipe. Then pour the rest. If you hear any gurgling sounds, that’s a good sign—it means the clog is breaking up.

Wait a few more minutes and then turn on the hot tap water. Let it run for a bit. If you see that the sink is draining faster, that means the boiling water did its job. Sometimes this method alone can clear a light clog completely.

You can even do this regularly to keep your drain clear after you clean it. Maybe once a month, boil a pot and pour it down, just to wash away little buildups before they turn into full clogs.

• Boil a large pot of water fully.
• Slowly pour half of it into the drain.
• Wait a few minutes for it to work.
• Pour the second half gently.
• Run hot tap water to flush out remains.

Try Baking Soda and Vinegar for Natural Cleaning

If you want a natural, safe way to clean the pipes and clear clogs, baking soda and vinegar is a great option. This combo makes a fizzy reaction that helps push hair and debris out of the way. It’s also good for clearing bad smells coming from your sink.

Start by pouring half a cup of baking soda into the drain. If it doesn’t go all the way down, use a spoon or something slim to push it a bit deeper. Then pour half a cup of white vinegar right after it. Quickly cover the drain with a cloth or the stopper to keep the reaction inside the pipe.

You’ll hear fizzing and maybe even a bubbling sound. That’s the baking soda and vinegar reacting and breaking up whatever is clogging the drain. Let it sit like this for about 20 to 30 minutes.

After that, pour boiling water down the drain to wash everything down. This helps move the broken-up gunk all the way through the pipe.

This method is gentle on your pipes, good for the environment, and safe if you have pets or kids in the house.

• Pour half cup baking soda into drain.
• Follow with half cup of vinegar.
• Cover drain and wait 30 minutes.
• Pour boiling water to finish cleaning.
• Use monthly for natural maintenance.

Use a Wet/Dry Vacuum to Suck Out the Clog

If the other steps didn’t work, a wet/dry vacuum can be a game changer. It might sound odd to vacuum a sink, but this powerful tool can actually suck the clog out of the pipe.

First, set your vacuum to the “wet” setting. Place the nozzle over the drain opening and seal it tightly. You can use a wet rag around the nozzle to help seal it better. Turn on the vacuum and let it run for about 10 to 15 seconds. The strong suction can grab hair and debris and pull it right out.

Check the vacuum canister to see if anything came out. You might need to try this more than once to get results. If it works, you’ll hear the drain gurgle or suddenly start flowing freely again.

Make sure to clean the vacuum after using it on the drain. And be careful not to use this method if your sink has a loose drain or old piping that might not handle strong suction.

• Set vacuum to wet mode.
• Seal drain with vacuum nozzle tightly.
• Turn on for 10–15 seconds.
• Check canister for hair and debris.
• Clean vacuum thoroughly afterward.

Open the Drain Trap If Nothing Else Works

The last method, if everything else fails, is to open the drain trap. This is the U-shaped pipe under the sink where clogs often hide. This job is a bit messier, but it’s very effective.

Put a bucket under the trap to catch any water. Use your hands or a wrench to loosen the slip nuts on both sides of the trap. Carefully remove the trap and let the water drain into the bucket. Look inside the pipe—it’s likely full of hair and buildup.

Use a wire brush or old toothbrush to clean it out fully. Then check the pipe that connects to the wall and the sink to make sure they’re also clear.

Put the trap back on, tighten the nuts, and run water to see how it flows. You should notice a big improvement right away.

• Place bucket under the U-pipe.
• Unscrew the trap carefully.
• Remove hair and debris inside.
• Clean with brush and rinse well.
• Reconnect trap and test the drain.

Final Thoughts

Clogged bathroom sinks full of hair are annoying, but you don’t need a plumber. You just need time and simple tools. From removing the stopper to opening the drain trap, each method helps more than you think. Start with the easiest and work your way down. In most cases, you’ll fix the problem without spending much money. And once you do it yourself, it gets easier the next time. Keeping your sink clean is all about small efforts before problems grow bigger.

Method	What It Does	Tools Needed	Difficulty
Remove the stopper	Exposes hair and gunk for removal	Hands, pliers (optional)	Easy
Use plastic hair tool	Pulls out hidden hair from drain	Plastic snake tool	Very Easy
Pour boiling water	Melts greasy gunk and soap scum	Pot and stove	Very Easy
Baking soda and vinegar	Natural reaction clears buildup	Baking soda, vinegar	Easy
Wet/dry vacuum	Sucks out deeper clogs and hair	Wet/dry vacuum	Moderate
Open the drain trap	Physically remove deep clogs	Bucket, wrench, brush	Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it safe to pour boiling water into my bathroom sink?

Yes, it is safe to pour boiling water into your bathroom sink as long as the sink is not made of a fragile material like certain types of older porcelain. Boiling water helps break down soap scum and softens the grease that traps hair in the pipe. However, always pour slowly to avoid any cracks, especially if you are unsure of your sink’s material. It’s a great maintenance trick you can use regularly to prevent clogs from forming in the first place. Just be careful when handling boiling water.

Can baking soda and vinegar really unclog a hair-blocked sink?

Baking soda and vinegar work well together for mild to moderate clogs caused by hair and soap buildup. They create a bubbly reaction that helps push soft debris down the drain. While they may not remove very large or hard clogs, this method is excellent for regular maintenance and mild clogs. It’s safe, cheap, and non-toxic. You can repeat it once or twice if needed, and it also helps remove bad smells coming from the drain.

Do I need to remove the stopper every time the sink clogs?

Yes, removing the stopper is often the first and most important thing to do when your sink clogs. Hair gets stuck right under the stopper and causes the water to back up. Even if you clean around the drain, that stopper holds a lot of gunk underneath. Once you remove it, you can reach in with your hands or tools to pull out the hair. It also makes it easier to use other tools like a plastic drain snake or vacuum.

Is it okay to use a wet/dry vacuum on my sink?

It’s okay to use a wet/dry vacuum on your bathroom sink as long as the plumbing is in good shape. Make sure to create a tight seal with the vacuum nozzle to get the best suction. This method can pull out hidden hair clogs deep inside the pipes. However, avoid using it if your sink has very old pipes or loose connections that could be damaged by strong suction. Always clean the vacuum thoroughly after using it on a drain.

Can I stop future clogs by doing regular cleaning?

Absolutely! Regular cleaning is the best way to stop clogs before they form. Once a month, you can remove the stopper and clean off any collected hair. You can also pour boiling water down the drain or use baking soda and vinegar to clear any early buildup. This keeps everything moving smoothly and avoids bigger problems. Cleaning your sink doesn’t take long but makes a big difference over time.

Do I have to call a plumber if nothing works?

If you’ve tried everything—like removing the stopper, using a snake, pouring boiling water, and even opening the trap—and the clog is still there, it might be time to call a plumber. Sometimes, the blockage is deeper in the pipes or connected to a bigger plumbing issue. A professional has the right tools to reach far down into the pipe system. But for most hair clogs, you can fix them yourself with a bit of time and effort.

Is it better to use chemical drain cleaners?

Chemical drain cleaners might work fast, but they can also damage your pipes over time. Most bathroom pipes aren’t made to handle strong acids, and repeated use can weaken them or cause leaks. They also produce strong fumes that aren’t safe to breathe. If you can avoid chemicals and use natural methods like boiling water or baking soda and vinegar, your plumbing will stay healthier and last longer.

Can I use tweezers or metal tools to pull hair out?

Yes, you can use tweezers or even metal wire hooks to pull out hair from the drain, especially when you can see the clog right near the top. But be gentle—don’t force anything down the drain that might scratch or damage the inside of the pipe. If you want to go deeper, plastic drain snakes are safer and made for this job. Tweezers work best for grabbing hair that’s caught around the stopper area.