UsefulHow
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Why Is My Sink Draining So Slowly? (And How to Fix It)

June 7, 2026

What You’ll Need

Steps

  1. Remove the drain stopper. Your sink is draining slowly because hair, soap scum, and gunk have built up inside the drain — especially around the stopper. Lift the pop-up stopper out or twist it counterclockwise. Clear off the slimy mess caught on it. I can’t tell you how many times this step alone has fixed the problem in my bathroom sink.
  2. Fish out clogs with a zip-it tool. Insert the plastic barbed stick into the drain opening. Push it down, twist, and pull upward. Repeat until the tool comes out clean. You’ll be surprised by what comes up.
  3. Pour boiling water down the drain. Boil a full kettle of water. Pour half down the drain and wait 10 seconds. Pour the rest slowly. The heat melts soap scum and softens grease. If your sink is porcelain, skip the kettle and use the hottest water your tap can produce — boiling water can crack older porcelain sinks.
  4. Flush with baking soda and vinegar. Scoop 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain. Follow it with 1 cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain and let the fizzing reaction work for 10 minutes to break down residue.
  5. Flush again with boiling water. Boil a second kettle of water. Remove the cover and pour it down the drain to push the loosened debris through the trap and out to the main line.
  6. Reassemble the stopper and test. Slide the stopper back into place and reconnect the pivot rod if you have one. Tighten the retaining nut by hand — no wrench needed. Run hot water for 30 seconds and watch how fast it drains.

Pro Tips

Tip: No zip-it tool? Straighten a wire coat hanger and bend a tiny hook at one end. Use it to fish out hair clogs carefully — just don’t scrape the porcelain.

Caution: Boiling water can crack porcelain or ceramic sinks, especially older ones with hairline cracks. If your sink is porcelain, use the hottest tap water your faucet produces. If it’s stainless steel, boiling water is safe.

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