How to Unclog Any Drain

Baking soda and white vinegar in glass containers on corner of bathroom sink

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 15 - 45 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10 to $60

Drains handle all of the water that we send down, plus hair, grease, and other solids, so it’s natural that at some point they will clog. 

With most clogged drains, there’s no need to pull out your phone to contact a plumber. Several inexpensive, efficient, and fast methods will help you power through smaller clogs in sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets. In no time at all, you’ll be up and running.

5 Ways to Unclog Any Drain

Method Uses Clog Depth, Maximum Cost
Plunger Toilet, tub, shower, kitchen sink 3 feet $5 to $15
Hair Remover Tool Bathroom sink, tub, shower 39 inches $2
Removing and Cleaning Sink Trap Bathroom sink, kitchen sink 3 feet No cost
Liquid Opener Toilet, bathroom sink, kitchen sink, tub, shower 18 inches $5 to $15
Drain Snake Toilet, bathroom sink, kitchen sink, tub, shower 25 feet $25 to $50

Sink or Toilet Plunger

A plunger is a flexible rubber bell- or cone-shaped tool with an operating handle at the end. A plunger forces water into the drain pipes, pushing the clog onward.

This time-tested drain-clearing method excels at unclogging toilets and is moderately successful at clearing kitchen sinks, tubs, and showers. Plungers sometimes do not work on bathroom sinks due to the configuration of the sink.

Hair Clog Remover Tool

A hair clog remover tool is a thin plastic cord with multiple spikes that is inserted into a drain, then removed. The spikes are designed to snag hair in the sink drain.

Hair clog removers work moderately well for bathroom sinks, and they do have some limited use for bathtubs and showers. Hair clog removers do not work on toilets or kitchen sinks. 

Removing and Cleaning Sink Trap

Cleaning the sink trap involves detaching the plastic or metal P-trap drain from below the sink, removing the clog by hand, then reattaching the cleared trap.

While messy, removing the sink trap is also the ultimate way to clear bathroom sink drains or kitchen sink drains. As long as the clog is located at some point in the P-trap or in the first few inches of the home’s drainpipe, you should be able to physically remove it.

Tip

If you are considering snaking your bath or kitchen drain, the fastest and most effective option is to remove the trap and clean it or insert the snake through the trap instead.

Liquid Drain Cleaner

Liquid openers work slowly and only moderately well at opening clogs that aren’t too deep. One of the best openers employs the everyday household items of vinegar, baking soda and water.

There are also commercial, non-acidic liquid drain openers which use a mixture of bacteria, enzymes, and live culture to liquify organic substances that commonly clog drains like hair, grease, and paper.

Drain Snake (Auger)

A drain snake or drain auger is a manual tool with a flexible metal cable coiled up inside a drum. The user turns the drum to extend the cable up to 25 feet into the drain system. A metal corkscrew-like end snags the clog. The cable is pulled straight out with the clog attached.

Drain snakes are highly efficient at removing fibrous clogs located deep in the drain system and work on toilets, kitchen and bath sinks, tubs, and showers.

Warning

Never use a drain cleaning liquid with sulfuric acid (or any type of powerful, highly concentrated acid), as it can cause damage to the plumbing and larger water system.

Safety Considerations

All drain clearing methods bring you into contact with bacteria, especially with invasive methods such as removing the sink trap or snaking the drain. Be sure to wear waterproof gloves, a mask, and safety glasses.

Though hair clog remover tools are plastic, their spikes are still very sharp. Hold these tools only by the handle end. 

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Flange plunger (toilets)
  • Standard plunger (sinks)
  • Drain snake
  • Washcloth
  • Hair remover tool
  • Sink trap kit (sinks)
  • Bucket
  • Rags
  • Flashlight
  • Shop vacuum
  • Screwdriver

Materials

  • Paper towels

Instructions

How to Unclog a Sink, Tub, or Shower Drain With a Plunger

Use a standard bell-shaped plunger for clearing sink, tub, or shower clogs. Wear waterproof gloves and safety glasses.

  1. Wet a Washcloth

    Wet a washcloth thoroughly and set it aside for now.

    Damp washcloth hanging off of the side of a tub

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  2. Remove Drain Stopper or Cover

    Remove the pop-up drain stopper from the sink basin or bathtub. For showers, remove the drain grate.

    Removing the drain plug from the sink

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  3. Add Water as Needed

    Add water with a cup or bucket If the sink basin, tub, or shower pan does not already have enough water in it to cover the plunger’s cup.

    Adding more water to the sink

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  4. Cover Overflow Hole, If Necessary

    Fold the wet washcloth into a square and cover the sink or tub’s overflow hole with it (showers do not have this). It helps to have an assistant hold the washcloth so that you’ll have both hands available to work the plunger.

    Wet washcloth covering overflow hole in sink

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  5. Lower Plunger

    Lower the plunger’s cup into the water at an angle to fill the cup.

    Plunger cup placed over sink drain with water in sink

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  6. Push Plunger Down

    Push the plunger down firmly and then up again. Repeat several times.

    Plunger pushed down over sink drain at an angle

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  7. Run Hot Water

    Run the hot water for a few minutes after the drain is clear.

    Running hot water down sink drain after plunging

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

How to Unclog a Sink Drain With a Hair Remover Tool

Sink drain hair removal tools are usually sold in multiples. You may purchase a simple tool that lowers straight into the drain and pulls straight up, clog attached. Or you may choose a tool with a small crank for turning the spiked end once it’s in the drain—much like a true sink auger.

  1. Remove Stopper

    Remove the pop-up drain stopper from the basin.

    Pop-up drain stopper removed from sink basin

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Insert Tool

    Push the spiked end of the tool into the drain. If the tool hits a block, push it up and down several times.

    Spiked end of hair removal tool inserted into sink drain

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Remove Tool and Clog

    Remove the tool slowly. The clog should be on the tool. Use the paper towels to remove and dispose of the clog.

    Hair removal tool being cleaned with paper towel

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Use Handle (Optional)

    Put the handle to work if the tool has a rotation feature. Push the spiked end of the tool into the drain. Hold the center of the handle with one hand and the crank with the other hand. Turn the crank several times. Pull straight up to remove the tool and the clog.

    Rotation tool being turned on hair removal tool inside sink drain

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How to Unclog a Drain by Cleaning the Trap

To remove and replace a sink P-trap, you’ll need old rags for better grip, a flashlight, and waterproof gloves. 

  1. Get a Bucket

    Place a bucket under the sink centered directly under the current P-trap. Have rags nearly.

    Bucket placed under sink P-trap arm pipe

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  2. Remove Curved Portion

    Remove the curved bend portion of the P-trap by turning the slip nut on both ends. You may need to use a rag for better grip. Water should pour out of the bend when removed. Set the piping in the bucket.

    Curved P-trap portion removed by turning slip nut

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

    What is a P-Trap?

    A P-trap is a plumbing fixture intended to create a seal between the drain pipe and the floor. It differs from a component called an S-trap, which is used to prevent water from escaping from a sink or other fixture located downstream from the trap.

  3. Remove Trap Arm

    Remove the straight trap arm by unscrewing the slip nut that secures the trap arm to the drainpipe in the wall. Set this in the bucket.

    Clearing Sink Trap

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  4. Clean Removed Items

    Clear P-trap by taking the items outside, pouring out the water in the bucket, and hosing out the pieces. If the pieces are overly greasy and dirty, discard them and use a new P-trap.

    Curved P-trap portion cleaned with water from sink faucet

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  5. Replace Parts

    Replace the new P-trap in the opposite order you removed the pieces by first attaching the new trap arm to the wall, then attaching the bend between the trap arm and the sink. Secure all slip nuts.

    P-trap replaced to trap by turning slip nut

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  6. Test P-Trap

    Test by running water and checking underneath for leaks.

    Running water down sink drain for testing P-trap

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

How to Unclog a Drain With Liquid Drain Cleaner

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  1. Remove Drain Cover

    Remove the stopper or grate that covers the drain and set aside.

  2. Remove Standing Water

    Eliminate excess water from the basin or tub by plunging, vacuuming, or soaking it up with towels.

  3. Pour Boiling Water

    Boil a pot of water and flush the drain with a small amount if your pipes allow.

    Warning

    Before pouring boiling water down your drain make sure you know what your pipes are made of. Many homeowners have drain pipes made of PVC plastic. There's a risk of the plastic softening and deforming if the boiling water travels slowly and disperses too much heat to the material.

    pouring salt down the drain

    The Spruce / Lacey Johnson 

  4. Pour Liquid Cleaner

    Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow it immediately with 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover with a drain stopper and let it work for at least 10 minutes.

    Repeating the process to eliminate a clogged drain

    The Spruce / Lacey Johnson

    Tip

    If a natural solution of baking soda and vinegar doesn't work to clear your clog, there are commercial cleaners available that may do the trick. In this case, follow the instructions given carefully.

  5. Add Boiling Water

    Pour a small amount of boiling water down the drain for a second time. Flush with hot water from the faucet to see if the drain has cleared and remove any liquid cleaner residue.

    Boiling pot with hot water poured into kitchen sink drain for unclogging

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

How to Unclog a Drain by Snaking It

  1. Remove Drain Cover or Grate


    Remove the sink pop-up drain stopper or shower/tub drain grate.

    Drain stopper removed from sink

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Remove Water

    Remove as much water as possible from the basin, tub, or pan with the plunger, shop vacuum, or by soaking up the water with towels. If this is not possible, you can snake the drain through standing water.

    Cup plunger placed over drain opening in water-filled sink

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Insert Snake

    Insert the corkscrew end of the drain snake into the drain as far as it will go on its own. Tighten the thumbscrew on the drum.

    Auger cable inserted into sink drain opening

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Rotate Snake

    Rotate the drain snake by turning the handle.

    Auger handle turned clockwise applying pressure to cable

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Retract Cable

    Slowly retract the cable into the drum to remove the clog at the end of the cable.

    Auger cable extended to work clog in drain

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

When to Call a Professional

If the clog is threatening to spill into your home, call an emergency plumber immediately. Removing some hard objects such as rings from drainpipes is difficult for do-it-yourselfers, but a plumber might be able to assist. Most consumer-grade drain snakes reach to 25 feet. For clogs that extend beyond 25 feet, have a plumber clear the drain.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Zehbour Panossian et al. Corrosion of carbon steel pipes and tanks by concentrated sulfuric acid: A review. Corrosion Science, vol. 58, 1-11, 2012. doi:10.1016/j.corsci.2012.01.025