How to Unclog Bathroom Sink With Baking Soda (5 Steps)

You know that awful moment when your bathroom sink starts draining slow—or worse, not at all? It’s frustrating, messy, and always seems to happen when you’re in a rush. But the good news? You don’t need fancy tools or harsh chemicals to fix it. The best and easiest way to unclog your bathroom sink is by using baking soda and a few simple things already in your home. In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to do it, step by step.

Clear the Sink and Remove Debris

Before you do anything else, make sure your sink is as empty and clean as possible. If the sink is full of water, grab a small cup or bowl and scoop the water out. You can dump the water into a bucket or the toilet. Do this until most of the water is gone and you can clearly see the drain hole.

Now, take a look around the sink area. Sometimes the clog is caused by hair, soap scum, or toothpaste buildup that’s sitting near the top of the drain. Use your fingers (wear gloves if you prefer) or a paper towel to remove any visible debris.

Next, check if your sink has a stopper. Most bathroom sinks have a small metal piece in the drain that lifts up and down to hold or release water. If it can be removed, take it out. Gunk and hair often get stuck underneath it. Clean the stopper with an old toothbrush or cloth.

If the stopper doesn’t come out easily, try turning it gently. Some stoppers unscrew or pop out with a slight twist. Others might need you to go under the sink and unscrew the pivot rod holding it in place. Don’t worry—it’s not as scary as it sounds. Just feel for the small rod behind the drainpipe and twist it carefully.

Once all this is done, your sink will be ready for the baking soda trick to work better.

• Scoop out standing water
• Clear visible hair or gunk
• Remove and clean stopper
• Check under the sink if stopper won’t come out
• Get sink ready for cleaning solution

Pour in the Baking Soda

Now that your sink is prepped, it’s time to bring in the baking soda. This common kitchen item is more than just for cooking—it’s a powerful cleaner and deodorizer. In this case, it helps break down small clogs without harming your pipes.

Measure out about half a cup of baking soda. You can use any regular measuring cup or even a small coffee cup if that’s easier. Slowly pour the baking soda directly into the drain. Try to get as much of it inside the pipe as possible and not around the edges.

If the baking soda isn’t going down because the pipe is still damp, use a spoon or your fingers to push it in gently. Don’t force it. A dry drain works best because it helps the baking soda stick and stay where the clog is.

After you’ve poured the baking soda, let it sit for a few minutes. This gives it time to settle inside and get ready to react when you add the next ingredient.

While waiting, you can prepare the vinegar. You’ll need about one cup of white vinegar—the kind you use for cooking or cleaning. Set it aside for the next part.

• Use ½ cup baking soda
• Pour directly into the drain
• Push gently if needed
• Let it sit for a few minutes
• Prepare 1 cup white vinegar for next part

Add Vinegar and Let It Fizz

Here’s where the magic starts to happen. Take that 1 cup of white vinegar you set aside and slowly pour it into the drain where the baking soda is sitting. You’ll hear a fizzing or bubbling sound right away. That’s a good sign! The vinegar is reacting with the baking soda to break apart whatever is clogging the pipe.

As you pour, you might notice foam rising. This is normal and part of the process. The fizzing helps loosen up the grime, soap scum, and hair that’s stuck in the drain.

After pouring the vinegar, cover the drain with a plug, small towel, or even a plate. This helps keep the fizzing action directed downward instead of bubbling out into the sink.

Now, wait for 15 to 30 minutes. During this time, the vinegar and baking soda are working hard inside your drain. You don’t have to do anything else. Just give it time.

Once the waiting is over, boil a kettle or large pot of water so it’s ready for the next step.

• Pour 1 cup vinegar into drain
• Let it fizz with baking soda
• Cover the drain to trap reaction
• Wait 15–30 minutes
• Boil water for flushing

Flush With Boiling Water

After you’ve waited and the fizzing has mostly stopped, it’s time to flush everything down with hot water. Carefully carry your pot or kettle of boiling water to the sink. If the water is too heavy, you can use smaller amounts in batches.

Slowly pour the hot water into the drain. The heat helps melt and wash away the gunk that the baking soda and vinegar loosened. Be careful not to pour too fast—you don’t want the hot water to splash back at you.

You might see some bits of dirt or hair come up while pouring. This is totally normal. It means the clog is breaking up and moving out.

If your sink starts draining better after this, great! But if it’s still slow, don’t worry. You can repeat the baking soda and vinegar process one more time. Sometimes tough clogs need two rounds.

• Boil water while waiting
• Slowly pour hot water into drain
• Watch for draining and loose debris
• Be careful of splashes
• Repeat process if needed

Use a Plunger If Needed

If your sink is still clogged or draining slowly, try using a small cup plunger. This is different from the toilet plunger—it’s smaller and flat, made just for sinks. You can buy one at most stores for just a few dollars.

First, make sure there’s a little bit of water in the sink—not too much, just enough to cover the rubber part of the plunger. If there’s no water, the plunger won’t work well.

Next, place the plunger directly over the drain. Make sure it’s flat and creates a seal. Then push down and pull up quickly, using strong but controlled motions. Do this 10 to 15 times.

You might hear a gurgling sound or see water start to drain. That’s a great sign. If nothing happens, take a break and try again. You can also try pouring a little more hot water afterward to help move the clog along.

• Use a sink-friendly cup plunger
• Add a little water to cover rubber part
• Seal the plunger over the drain
• Push and pull quickly 10–15 times
• Try again or flush with water

Prevent Future Clogs

Now that your sink is clear, let’s keep it that way. Clogs often come back if we don’t change a few small habits. Luckily, prevention is simple and doesn’t take much time.

Start by cleaning your sink stopper regularly. Hair, toothpaste, and soap scum love to stick to it. Once a week, lift it out and rinse it with warm water. If it’s very dirty, scrub it with an old toothbrush.

Next, avoid letting hair go down the drain. It’s one of the biggest causes of bathroom sink clogs. If you brush your hair over the sink, clean up loose strands right away.

You can also use a small mesh drain screen. These are cheap and sit right over the drain hole to catch hair and gunk before it goes down. Just empty it every few days.

And here’s a great trick—once a month, repeat the baking soda and vinegar method even if your sink isn’t clogged. This helps clean the inside of the pipes and keeps everything flowing.

• Clean sink stopper weekly
• Don’t let hair or soap scum build up
• Use a drain screen to catch debris
• Do monthly baking soda + vinegar flush
• Avoid pouring greasy or oily stuff into sink

Final Thoughts

Fixing a clogged bathroom sink doesn’t have to be hard, expensive, or stressful. With just baking soda, vinegar, and hot water, you can clear most clogs on your own. It’s safe, cheap, and works better than many store-bought drain cleaners. Next time your sink slows down, you’ll know exactly what to do—quickly, easily, and without calling a plumber. Just remember to take care of your sink regularly so those annoying clogs stay away for good.

Task	What to Do
Clear the sink	Remove standing water and visible debris
Add baking soda	Pour ½ cup into dry drain
Pour vinegar	Add 1 cup and let it fizz for 15–30 minutes
Flush with boiling water	Pour hot water to wash everything down
Use a plunger (if needed)	Plunge 10–15 times for tough clogs
Prevent future clogs	Clean stopper, use drain screen, monthly baking soda flush

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it safe to use baking soda and vinegar in all types of sinks?

Yes, it’s safe for most sinks including porcelain, stainless steel, and ceramic ones. Baking soda and vinegar are gentle and won’t harm the sink surface or the pipes. Unlike chemical cleaners that can wear down pipes over time, this natural mix is mild but effective. If you have older or delicate plumbing, this method is actually better than using harsh chemicals. Just be careful with extremely old metal pipes and always rinse well with hot water afterward.

Can I use this method on a completely blocked sink?

Yes, but it might take more than one round. If your sink is fully blocked and water doesn’t drain at all, scoop out as much water as possible first. Then follow the steps with baking soda and vinegar. Sometimes you’ll need to repeat the process or help it along with a plunger. It’s still a great first option before calling a plumber because it’s easy, safe, and often works.

Do I need to use boiling water or just hot tap water?

Boiling water is best because it melts and pushes down grime much better than hot tap water. Tap water may help a little, but boiling water works faster and stronger. Just make sure your pipes are strong enough to handle it—avoid pouring boiling water into plastic pipes often, as it may weaken them over time. For metal or older sinks, boiling water is usually safe and effective.

Is it okay to mix baking soda and vinegar in a bottle first?

No, it’s better to mix them inside the drain. If you mix them in a bottle, most of the fizzing reaction happens outside the drain and won’t reach the clog. Pouring them separately into the drain allows the fizzing action to happen exactly where the clog is. The bubbles break up the gunk better that way. Always add baking soda first, then vinegar right after.

Can this method work for slow draining but not full clogs?

Yes, it’s perfect for that! In fact, baking soda and vinegar are most effective on slow drains because they can get through the pipe before it’s totally blocked. This method helps clear soap scum, hair buildup, and small bits before they form a serious clog. Use this method once a month even if your sink is draining okay—it helps keep it clean and flowing freely.

Do I need to remove the stopper every time?

You don’t have to, but it helps. Removing the stopper gives better access to the drain so the baking soda can get deeper into the pipe. Also, you can clean out any visible hair or gunk stuck to the stopper itself. If the stopper doesn’t come out easily, you can still do the method, but the results might not be as strong. If possible, always try to remove and clean it first.

Is it okay to use this method if I already tried a store-bought cleaner?

Yes, but wait at least 24 hours after using a chemical cleaner. Mixing vinegar and baking soda with leftover chemical residue can be dangerous or cause strange smells. After using any strong store cleaner, rinse the drain with plenty of water and wait a day. Then safely use the baking soda and vinegar method. Always read labels on store cleaners for safety warnings.

Can I use lemon juice instead of vinegar?

Yes, lemon juice can be used instead of vinegar, especially if you want a nicer smell. It works similarly because it’s also acidic. But vinegar is usually stronger and cheaper, so it tends to work better for tougher clogs. If your sink only has a light smell or slow drain, lemon juice is a good natural option. Just use the same amount—about one cup with baking soda.