Bathroom sink drains slow down from hair and soap scum build-up — usually on the pop-up stopper and in the trap just below. This is one of the most common household maintenance tasks and rarely requires a plumber.
Step 1: Clean the Pop-Up Stopper
The pop-up stopper (the plug that opens and closes when you push or lift the rod behind the faucet) collects the most hair. Remove it first.
- Grasp the stopper and pull it straight up — many lift out without tools
- If it doesn't pull out: twist counterclockwise and pull, or look underneath for a horizontal pivot rod passing through the drainpipe — unscrew the clip holding it and slide out the rod to release the stopper
- Remove all hair and residue from the stopper — this alone usually restores most of the flow
- Clean the stopper with an old toothbrush and dish soap
- Reinstall
Step 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar Flush
- Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain
- Follow with half a cup of white vinegar
- Cover the drain with the stopper or a cloth to push the reaction downward
- Wait 15–20 minutes while it fizzes
- Flush with a full kettle of boiling water to clear loosened debris
This dissolves soap scum and mild organic build-up. Repeat once more if the drain is still slow.
Step 3: Drain Snake (If Still Slow)
A plastic drain snake (Zip-It or similar, available at hardware stores for $3–$5) has barbs that catch and extract hair from the drain.
- Insert the snake into the drain opening and push gently
- Twist and pull out — the barbs catch hair caught deeper in the pipe
- Repeat until nothing more comes out
- Flush with hot water
Tips
- A hair catcher placed over the drain reduces how often you need to do this
- Avoid chemical drain openers (like Drano) regularly — they can damage older pipes and seals with repeated use
- If water is completely stopped, the blockage may be deeper in the trap — the curved pipe under the sink — which can be removed and cleaned manually by unscrewing the slip joints