Plumber says 'better' item will unblock sink in five minutes without vinegar

Sink drains often get clogged due to the daily barrage of food scraps and soapy residues, necessitating a potent agent that can cut through greasy build-ups. The acidic nature of grease means that popular DIY solutions, such as white vinegar, simply won't do the trick, as you need something with strong alkaline properties.

Daniel Smith from Cal's Plumbing has imparted some knowledge on the subject, suggesting that while baking soda is an option thanks to its mild alkalinity, you'll find much better success with a higher-alkaline substance like soda crystals. He stated: "If baking soda and white vinegar do not work and you want a stronger DIY option, washing soda is the next best option."

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He further clarified: "Sodium carbonate, sometimes known as washing soda, is a common item in cleaning household goods and an excellent do-it-yourself drain unclogging ingredient.

"Its alkalinity is higher than baking soda's and is thus a more effective drain cleaner." With a pH level of 11, washing soda, or soda crystals, excels at dissolving grease, fat, and other common culprits behind blocked drains.

This method offers a powerful, yet straightforward way to tackle blockages that surpasses the efficacy of vinegar or baking soda.

Moreover, it's a natural alternative, saving your sink from exposure to harsh chemicals, reports . The process begins by filling and boiling the kettle, then pouring the hot water down the sink to help loosen any fat, slime, or grime clogging the drain.

Next, generously sprinkle soda crystals and pour a cup of hot water down the sink. The heat combined with the alkaline pH of the washing soda should effectively dissolve most of the greasy residue.

Allow at least five minutes for the solution to work its magic on the blockage; you can leave it for up to 15 to 30 minutes if needed.

Once the time is up, refill and boil the kettle once more. Pour the boiling water down the sink again to flush out any remaining debris in the drain.

With this, your sink should be completely unblocked, with water flowing smoothly and no unpleasant odours lingering. Soda crystals can also be used on a regular basis to help keep your drain clean and odour-free.

Once your drain is clear, it's important to take certain steps to prevent it from happening again. The first is to never pour grease, fat or oil down your kitchen sink.

It can be tempting when in liquid form, but don't forget that when it cools down, it becomes a solid.

Keep a tin can or an old, thick cardboard box by the sink so you can pour excess fats into it and then dispose of them in the bin.

Secondly, use a sink guard over your plug hole. This will catch any food chunks from falling into the drain pipes and getting stuck.