How to Clean Your Kitchen Sink Drain—and Stop Clogs and Bad Smells for Good

While you might clean your kitchen sink every night after you're done cooking for the day, when is the last time you cleaned the drain? If you have to think about it, chances are it's in need of thorough sanitizing. Over time, the sink drain can build up with food debris, grease, and bacteria, so it's important to have a cleaning routine in place to prevent clogs. To keep your plumbing running efficiently, we spoke to cleaning experts who shared their tips for cleaning a kitchen sink drain the right way.

How Often to Clean Your Kitchen Sink Drain

Aim to clean your kitchen sink drain once a week to prevent unwanted odors and clogs. Without regular cleaning, grease, soap scum, food particles, and minerals can build up and block your pipes, causing clogs. "Consistent cleaning prolongs the lifespan of your plumbing, as forgotten grease and debris can corrode pipes over time," says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO at AspenClean.

Signs Your Kitchen Sink Drain Needs to Be Cleaned

If you haven't cleaned your kitchen sink drain in a while, there will be some obvious signs it's time to break out your cleaning supplies.

• Unpleasant odors: Foul odors are one of the most obvious signs it's time to clean your kitchen sink drain. "Bad smells usually mean food particles or grease are stuck inside and starting to break down," says Kathy Cohoon, director of operations at Two Maids.
• Slow drainage: If you notice that your sink takes longer to empty, Cohoon says it's probably a sign to clean it. Slow-draining water is often caused by the buildup of grease, food particles, or soap scum, narrowing the pipe.
• Gurgling sounds: Gurgling noises coming from your sink drain can indicate that air is trapped due to partial clogs, says Cohoon.
• Water backing up: Water rising into the sink when the dishwasher drains or backing up into a second sink in a double-bowl setup signals a clog deeper in the plumbing, Sokolowski notes.
• Buildup around the drain: If you see food sludge, grease film, or mold around the drain or disposal entrance, Sokolowski says it is often a sign of internal buildup.
• Pests around the sink: A dirty sink drain can attract insects, like drain flies. "Drain flies can breed in organic matter trapped inside dirty or greasy drains," says Sokolowski.

How to Clean kitchen Sink Drain With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar is an elite mixture for removing soap scum from sink drains. "This combination cuts through buildup naturally and helps keep your pipes clear without harsh chemicals," Cohoon notes. Here's how she says to do it.

1. Run hot tap water down the drain for a few minutes to loosen any grease or residue.
2. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda directly down the drain, followed by 1 cup of white vinegar. The fizzing reaction helps lift grime and deodorize the drain.
3. Let the mixture sit for about 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Flush the drain with another kettle or pot of boiling water.
5. Repeat monthly for proper maintenance.
   

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How to Clean a Kitchen Sink Drain With a Garbage Disposal

Kitchen sink drains with a garbage disposal need a deeper cleaning to break down built-up grime. Our experts recommend using ice, salt, and citrus to clean and deodorize the disposal. "The ice and salt act like a scouring agent for grinding away buildup," says Sokolowski. Here's how to do it the right way.

1. Turn off the disposal.
2. Pour a handful of ice cubes into the disposal, followed by 1/2 cup of coarse salt.
3. Turn on the cold water and then run the disposal for 30 seconds.
4. Add citrus peels (lemon, lime, orange) and run the disposal again to freshen the smell.
5. Rinse with cold water for 30 to 60 seconds.
6. For deep cleaning, sprinkle a 1/2-cup of baking soda, followed by 1 cup of vinegar down the drain. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with boiling water.
   

What to Never Pour Down a Kitchen Sink Drain

Cohoon warns against pouring bleach, ammonia, or harsh chemical drain cleaners down your sink. "These can corrode your pipes over time and are especially risky if you have a garbage disposal," she says. "Chemicals can damage rubber parts and create dangerous fumes when mixed with other cleaners." Instead, use natural cleaners like baking soda and vinegar.

You should also skip pouring grease, oil, or coffee grounds down the drain. "They might seem harmless at first, but they harden or clump together inside pipes, leading to clogs," Cohoon adds.