Plumbing 26 January 2023

How to Clean Grease Out of Sink Drains

Keeping your sink drains clean and free from grease is an important part of maintaining the overall cleanliness and hygiene of your home. Grease buildup in sink drains can lead to unpleasant odours, blockages, and even attract pests. However, with the right methods and materials, it is easy to remove grease from sink drains and keep them running smoothly.

What You’ll Need

The first step in cleaning grease out of sink drains is to gather the necessary materials. You will need baking soda, white vinegar, a cup or small container, and a plunger. Baking soda and vinegar are both natural cleaning agents that are effective at breaking down grease and freshening up odours.

The Baking Soda and Vinegar Method

To begin, pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain. Next, add a cup of white vinegar to the drain. The mixture will begin to fizz and bubble, breaking down the grease and debris that have accumulated in the drain. Allow the mixture to sit for 15-20 minutes to work its magic.

After the time has passed, flush the drain with hot water. This will help to further break down the grease and wash away the debris. If you find that the drain is still blocked, use a plunger to help remove any remaining blockages.

Keeping It Clear

It is also a good idea to repeat this process on a regular basis to prevent grease build-up in the future. Additionally, you can avoid pouring grease and oil down the drain in the first place by wiping it off dishes and cooking surfaces with kitchen roll before washing them, and putting the used kitchen roll in the bin.

If You Have a Waste Disposal Unit

If your sink has a waste disposal unit fitted, it is worth cleaning that too. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then run the unit with the cold tap on for a minute or two to flush out the debris.

When to Call Us

If the sink is still slow after all of that, the blockage is likely further down the waste pipe than these methods can reach. Our drainage work is charged at £95 + VAT for the first hour, which is always billable, then £47.50 + VAT an hour — and most kitchen blockages are cleared well inside the first hour. Call 01732 792 454.

In Summary

Cleaning grease out of sink drains is an important part of maintaining your home. By using baking soda and vinegar regularly, and by keeping grease out of the drain in the first place, you can prevent most kitchen blockages before they start.

A Word on Boiling Water

You will see advice elsewhere telling you to pour boiling water down the drain. We would not. Water straight off the boil can soften plastic waste pipe, damage the rubber seals in a trap and crack ceramic. Let the kettle stand a minute or two first — hot water does the job on grease perfectly well without the risk.

Where Kitchen Grease Actually Ends Up

It rarely stops at your sink. Fat leaves the house as a liquid, cools in the shared drain, and sets against the pipe wall a little more with every wash-up. That is why kitchen blockages tend to recur in the same place, and why the fix that lasts is changing what goes down the plughole rather than clearing it out again each spring.

Scrape plates into the bin, wipe greasy pans with kitchen roll before washing, and pour cooled cooking fat into an empty jar for the bin rather than down the sink.