It has probably happened to you before: the water in the sink or shower no longer drains properly. With a simple trick, you can unclog even the most stubborn blockages.
If the drain is clogged, it is usually a sign that hair and other dirt particles are stuck in the pipes and can no longer be drained. Then, even more dirt builds up until the drain is completely clogged and no more water flows into the bathroom or kitchen.
To unclog the drain, you can find many products in drugstores or supermarkets. However, most drain cleaners contain aggressive chemicals that, in the long run, are not only bad for seals and pipes, but also expensive, harmful to health and the environment. Instead, plumbers use a common dishwashing liquid. This is an economical alternative to chemical drain cleaners from the household section.
Here’s how to do it:
- Pour half a bottle of regular dishwashing liquid directly down the drain.
- Place the sink stopper in the drain, or adjust the stopper so that no water enters the drain at this time.
- Fill the sink with hot water.
- Remove the stopper so that all the hot water can flow into the drain. Caution: Be careful with hot water and use a fork or other utensil to safely remove the stopper.
- Important: Once you have drained the water, the drain will not be cleared immediately. Normally, it takes a few minutes before the blockage dissolves and the water can flow.
Among plumbers, the dishwashing liquid method is a simple and widely used trick to quickly unclog a drain. If you don’t see any improvement after several hours, you should definitely call a plumber. They will be able to advise and help you accordingly. To prevent blockages in the future, we recommend using a sink strainer. This will prevent hair and other debris from entering the drain.