How Do You Maintain a Sink Drain & How Often to Clean It?

It’s always better to prevent sink blockages than to be forced to fix them, and prevention is vital when trying to ensure your sink remains blockage-free for as long as possible. Here’s what you can do to stop blockages from forming:

• Disposing of common waste: There are some common clog-causing materials that you should not dispose of by pouring them down the drain. Refrain from pouring coffee grounds, tea leaves, and cooking fat or grease down the drain, as they can cause serious blockages. Instead, use a jar or a can to dispose of fat or grease, and throw tea leaves and coffee grounds in the trash instead of down the drain. This will significantly reduce the risk of blockages forming.

• Rinsing the sink with hot water: One of the easiest ways to maintain your kitchen sink is by regularly pouring hot water down the drain. Hot water helps oils frequently found in food run easier and faster down your drain. Just let the hot water run for half a minute as the first line of defense against blockages.
• Pouring baking soda: Baking soda is a great cleaning agent that absorbs foul odors, helping you keep your sink fresh and clean. Pouring baking soda down the drain once a week is a great and easy way to clean your sink.
• Placing strainers in your kitchen sink: Installing a sink strainer is an excellent method for making sure food and other potentially harmful particles do not go down the sink drain, but remain in the sink for you to throw in the trash.
• Pouring some vinegar down the drain: Vinegar is an excellent natural cleaning solution. It helps remove organic buildup and dissolve oils in the pipes. Pour a single cup of vinegar down your sink drain and wait for half an hour before rinsing with water.