How to Unclog Bathroom Sink with Standing Water (6 Steps)

You walk into the bathroom, and your sink is full of water that just won’t go down. It looks gross, smells weird, and you’re just not sure what to do. I’ve been there too, staring at the sink in frustration. But guess what? You can fix it yourself, even if you’ve never done anything like this before. The best way to unclog a bathroom sink with standing water is to remove the clog using simple tools and home items. In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to do it easily, step-by-step.

Remove the water before anything else

If your sink is filled with water, the first thing you need to do is get it out. You can’t work on the clog while the sink is still full. I know it’s not fun sticking your hands into murky water, but trust me, it’s a must. The good news is, you don’t need anything fancy to do it. Just a cup, a bowl, or even an old mug can help you get it done.

Start by grabbing a plastic cup or a small container. Slowly scoop the standing water out of the sink and pour it into a bucket or down the toilet. Be careful not to spill it around your bathroom, especially if it smells bad. If the water is really dirty or has hair floating in it, you might want to wear rubber gloves. That will keep your hands clean and make it easier to work without worrying.

Once most of the water is removed, use a sponge or old towel to soak up the rest. Your goal is to get the sink as dry as possible before moving on. This makes it much easier to see what’s going on in the drain and to work without making a mess.

Sometimes, the water might be draining slowly, not totally blocked. If so, let it go down for a few minutes and help it along by removing debris from the top of the drain. Use your fingers or a paper towel to remove any hair or soap scum.

If the clog is very deep and not letting water through at all, don’t worry. You’ve now got a clean and empty sink to start working on the real fix.

• Use a cup to scoop out the standing water.
• Wear gloves if the water looks dirty or smells bad.
• Dry the sink fully using a sponge or old towel.
• Clear off any visible debris on top of the drain.

Check and clean the sink stopper

After the water is gone, the next thing to look at is your sink stopper. That little plug you pull up and down? It often collects hair, soap, and grime underneath, causing a clog. Most of the time, the problem is right there and easy to reach.

Start by trying to pull the stopper straight out. Some stoppers lift out easily, while others have a small clip or a rod under the sink that needs to be loosened first. Go under your sink and look for a metal rod connected to the back of the drainpipe. It usually has a nut or clip. Unscrew or unclip it gently, and then go back to the top and pull out the stopper.

Once you have the stopper in your hand, you’ll probably see clumps of hair and gunk stuck to it. It’s gross, but very common. Use an old toothbrush or a paper towel to wipe it clean. If the clog was right there, you may have already solved the problem!

While you’re at it, shine a flashlight down the drain to see if there’s more hair or debris inside. Use tweezers, a wire hook, or even a bent paperclip to pull out anything you can reach.

After cleaning, put the stopper back in and tighten the rod under the sink again. Then run some water to see if it drains better. If it still drains slowly or not at all, don’t worry—we’ll go deeper.

• Try pulling the stopper out by hand.
• If it’s stuck, loosen the rod under the sink first.
• Clean off hair and soap buildup from the stopper.
• Look into the drain and pull out anything you can see.
• Put the stopper back and check water flow.

Use a plunger the right way

Now that the stopper is cleaned or removed, it’s time to try a plunger. Yes, plungers aren’t just for toilets—they work great on sinks too. But you have to use them the right way to get results.

First, grab a cup plunger (the one with the flat bottom). Don’t use the flange-style toilet plunger; it won’t seal well on your sink. Fill the sink with just enough water to cover the plunger’s rubber cup—about an inch or two. This helps create suction.

Place the plunger directly over the drain and press down to make a good seal. Then push and pull quickly about 10–15 times without lifting it off the sink. You should feel some resistance. That’s a good sign the clog is getting loosened. After plunging, pull it off quickly and listen—if you hear a gurgle or the water starts to drain, it’s working!

If nothing happens, try it again a few more times. You may also want to block the overflow hole near the top of your sink using a wet rag or your hand. This stops air from escaping and helps build pressure.

Sometimes, it takes a few rounds of plunging to break up the clog fully. Be patient. It’s often enough to clear even tough blockages, especially if the clog is just under the drain.

Once water flows, run hot water for a minute to clear out any leftover gunk. That helps prevent the problem from coming back soon.

• Use a flat-bottom cup plunger for bathroom sinks.
• Add a little water to help with suction.
• Plunge fast and firm about 10–15 times.
• Cover the overflow hole with a rag.
• Run hot water once the clog clears.

Try baking soda and vinegar mix

If plunging didn’t do the trick, try a natural and gentle method: baking soda and vinegar. It’s safe, cheap, and you probably already have it at home. And yes, it really works for many clogs caused by soap and grime.

Start by pouring about half a cup of baking soda into the dry drain. Use a funnel or small spoon to help it go in. Next, slowly pour in one cup of vinegar. It will fizz and bubble—this is a good sign that it’s working to break down the clog.

Let the mixture sit in the drain for at least 20–30 minutes. For tougher clogs, let it sit overnight. During this time, the bubbling action works on the gunk inside the pipes.

After the wait, boil a kettle or a big pot of water. Carefully pour the hot water down the drain to flush everything out. The heat helps soften grease and push broken-up debris down the pipe.

If needed, you can repeat the process again. It’s gentle on pipes, unlike chemical cleaners, and often just as effective. You might even hear the clog breaking up as you pour in the vinegar or hot water!

Use this method even if your sink isn’t fully clogged yet—it’s great for keeping drains clean and fresh-smelling.

• Pour ½ cup baking soda into the drain.
• Slowly add 1 cup vinegar and let it fizz.
• Let it sit for 30 minutes or overnight.
• Flush with boiling water.
• Repeat if the drain is still slow.

Use a drain snake or wire hanger

If the clog is still not gone, it’s time to physically remove it. This might sound hard, but it’s actually not. A drain snake (also called a drain auger) or even a simple wire hanger can help reach clogs deep in the pipe.

You can buy a plastic drain snake at any hardware store, and they’re cheap. Or straighten out a wire hanger and bend the end into a small hook.

Carefully push the tool into the drain until you feel resistance. That’s likely the clog. Twist and push gently to grab or break it up. If you’re using a hook, try to pull the clog out. If it’s a snake, you may be able to push it through and break it apart.

Be slow and gentle—don’t jam it too hard or you could damage the pipe. After you’ve pulled out some hair or gunk, run water to check the flow.

This method works well for deeper clogs that plunging and baking soda couldn’t reach. It’s also great for cleaning out years of buildup you can’t even see.

• Use a plastic drain snake or wire hanger with a hook.
• Push into the drain slowly until you reach the clog.
• Twist and pull to remove hair or debris.
• Run hot water to test the drain.
• Repeat if needed.

Remove and clean the P-trap

If all else fails, the clog might be sitting in the curved pipe under your sink—called the P-trap. Cleaning it may sound scary, but you can do it with just a bucket and some basic tools.

Place a bucket or bowl under the pipe to catch water. Then, using your hands or a wrench, unscrew the two slip nuts holding the trap in place. Gently remove it and dump out the water.

Look inside the trap. You’ll probably find a big clump of hair, grease, or toothpaste. Clean it out using a bottle brush, paper towels, or a stick.

Before putting it back, check the pipes leading into and out of the trap. If you see more gunk, clean those too.

Once it’s clean, screw everything back tightly. Run water and watch for leaks. Your sink should now drain freely.

• Place a bucket under the P-trap.
• Unscrew the pipe and remove it carefully.
• Clean out all the gunk inside.
• Check other pipe sections for clogs.
• Reconnect and run water to test.

Final Thoughts

Fixing a clogged bathroom sink with standing water might seem hard at first, but it’s totally doable even for beginners. You don’t need to call a plumber right away. With a little time and patience, you can remove most clogs using things you already have at home. From removing the water to cleaning out the P-trap, each method brings you one step closer to a clear drain. Keep your sink clean regularly, and you’ll avoid future clogs too.

Method	Tools Needed	Best For	Difficulty
Remove standing water	Cup, bucket, gloves	Starting cleanup	Easy
Clean sink stopper	Gloves, pliers, flashlight	Visible clogs near surface	Easy
Use a plunger	Cup plunger, water, rag	Loosening shallow clogs	Medium
Baking soda + vinegar	Baking soda, vinegar, kettle	Soft clogs from soap and gunk	Easy
Drain snake or wire hanger	Drain snake or wire hanger	Deeper hair clogs	Medium
Clean the P-trap	Bucket, wrench, towels	Clogs stuck in the U-shaped pipe	Medium

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it okay to use boiling water in a bathroom sink?

Yes, it is okay to use boiling water, but with caution. Boiling water can help break up soap scum and grease inside the pipes. However, if you have plastic pipes (like PVC), pouring extremely hot water often might damage them over time. Always let boiling water cool slightly before using it. For metal pipes, it’s safer. If you’re using baking soda and vinegar first, the hot water will help flush everything out. So yes, it’s effective, but don’t overdo it.

Can I use bleach to unclog my bathroom sink?

You can, but it’s not the best or safest method. Bleach may kill bacteria and remove odors, but it won’t break up clogs like hair or solid grime. Plus, bleach is harsh on your pipes and skin. It also releases strong fumes. Natural methods like baking soda and vinegar are safer and more effective for most people. If you do choose bleach, never mix it with other cleaners, especially vinegar or ammonia—it creates toxic gas.

Do I need to call a plumber for a bathroom sink clog?

Not always. Most clogs can be fixed with simple home methods like plunging, using a drain snake, or cleaning the P-trap. You should only call a plumber if none of these work or if you see signs of a deeper issue—like clogs in multiple drains, water backing up elsewhere, or leaks. Trying the steps in this guide can save you time and money. But if you’re ever unsure or uncomfortable, calling a pro is the safest choice.

Is it safe to use a plunger on the bathroom sink?

Yes, it’s safe if you use the right kind. Always use a flat-bottom cup plunger, not the kind made for toilets. Make sure the sink has a little water to help create suction. Be gentle yet firm when plunging, and don’t use too much force or you could damage the drain. Also, cover the overflow hole to get the best result. Plunging is a safe and effective way to remove many clogs.

Can baking soda and vinegar damage pipes?

No, baking soda and vinegar are actually one of the safest solutions you can use. They won’t harm your pipes, whether they’re metal or plastic. Unlike strong chemical drain cleaners that can erode pipes over time, this mix is gentle and still effective. It also helps remove odors. You can even use it regularly for maintenance. Just be sure to follow it up with warm water to help flush everything out.

Do I need to take out the P-trap every time?

Not always. The P-trap only needs to be cleaned if nothing else is working. If the clog is deeper or caused by hair stuck in that U-shaped pipe, then removing it is helpful. But in many cases, just cleaning the stopper or using a plunger will solve the problem. Taking out the P-trap is usually the last resort and should only be done if other steps fail or if the clog is clearly down there.

Can I stop future clogs from happening?

Yes! You can prevent clogs by doing a few simple things. Clean your stopper once a week, use a hair catcher over your drain, and avoid letting toothpaste or soap chunks go down the sink. Every month, pour a mix of baking soda and vinegar down the drain to keep things clean. Also, run hot water after every use to wash away grease and buildup. These small habits will keep your sink flowing freely.

Is it okay to use chemical drain cleaners?

You can use them, but it’s not recommended for regular use. Chemical drain cleaners are strong and can burn through tough clogs, but they’re also very harsh. They can damage pipes over time and are unsafe for kids and pets. If you do use them, wear gloves and follow instructions very carefully. Natural methods are safer and better for the environment. Try them first before going for chemical options.