Unblock sinks in 30 minutes with ‘effective’ 30p household item – not baking soda (Image: Getty)
Whether it’s grease, food, hair or soap, clogging in and bathroom is extremely common.
If the blockage is left, however, it’s likely to get much worse, so people often reach for a plunger, although an expert has recommended boiling water or .
Lee Waring, plumbing expert at , said: “When you’re trying to unblock a sink without a plunger, it’s best to start with the simplest solution first.
“Hot water is particularly good at melting oils, fats and soap scum – meaning it can quickly remove common household sink blockages.
“So, fill and boil your kettle, and pour the water down the plughole. You may need to repeat this process two or three times, depending on how serious the blockage is.”
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If hot water alone won’t clear your sink blockage, there are a number of household items which can help, including white vinegar.
White vinegar is hailed as a natural cleaner which can be used to descale as well as treat blocked drains.
The expert explained: “Most bathroom sink blockages are caused by a mix of soap scum and hair. As distilled vinegar is acidic, it’s very good at dissolving soap scum.
“So, not only is it effective as a bathroom cleaner, but it can also work as a drain unblocker.
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“Pour 200ml to 300ml of neat distilled vinegar down the plughole of the blocked sink. You may need to use a small jug or funnel to help you do this.”
Leave it to sit for around 30 minutes and follow with boiling water to unblock anything which may be gathering in the pipes.
Distilled white vinegar can be purchased from many supermarkets for around 30p a bottle, making it an affordable solution.
Another household item which is great for breaking down greasy residues is washing powder.
The plumber continued: “Biological washing powder contains enzymes that break down fats. So, it’s another effective tool for unclogging kitchen sinks when you don’t have a plunger.
“Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of your washing powder down the plughole and use the hot water from your kettle to help flush it through the blockage.”
If neither of these methods has worked, it may be because there is a problem further along the drain line.
In this instance, it’s usually best to call a local plumber to take a look and see if there is anything which can be done.