The clogged sink: a daily concern

Who hasn’t had that unpleasant surprise after doing the dishes? The water that stagnates, the smell that rises… And often, the obvious is postponed, for lack of time or an immediate solution. Fortunately, there is a little homemade trick, as simple as it is effective, to give your pipes a fresh look, without aggressive chemicals or dismantling.

Salt: your unexpected ally against traffic jams

First step: head to the kitchen. Bring some coarse salt, that good old companion in the closet. By pouring a good handful (about 100 g) into the sink, you rely on a gentle abrasive effect. It helps to loosen grease and residue that slows down the flow of water. A little extra: combined with hot water, it acts as a natural cleaner for your pipes.

A touch of washing-up liquid to dissolve grease

Then pour in some washing-up liquid. What for? Because it acts as a degreaser: it breaks down fats, makes them more fluid and limits their adhesion to the walls. It’s a bit like adding soap to a greasy pan: everything comes off more easily.

Hot water: the effective trigger

Continue with very hot water (about 1 litre, without boiling) – be careful not to burn yourself. This step liquefies fat deposits and activates the salt-dishwashing liquid duo. In addition, if your pipes are made of plastic, the heat expands them slightly, making it easier for water and residue to pass through. A real thermal boost.

The upside-down bottle: the simple but clever weapon

Here’s the key step: take an empty plastic water bottle, fill it with hot water and briefly plug the opening with your hand. Place it upside down on the sink drain (a cloth around it helps to caulk better), then squeeze it with a sharp blow. This gesture sends a localized surge of water into the pipe, a bit like a mini-cleaning wave. This targeted pressure can clear a light clog or restart a slow flow.

A gentle method… but really useful

What makes this trick interesting is its simplicity: no corrosive products, no disassembly. It is based on a combined effect of heat, gentle abrasion and mechanical pressure. It is a good solution for routine maintenance or quick troubleshooting when you don’t have a suction cup.

Know Before You Start

Let’s be clear: this method will not replace the intervention of a professional for a complete clog or an object stuck in the pipe. But for a sink that drains slowly or accumulated fat, it can really help. Just be sure to use a heavy-duty bottle to get enough pressure.

It just goes to show that, sometimes, it doesn’t take much to unblock a situation!