## How to Keep Kitchen Sink Drains Clean
The kitchen sink is one of the most used and abused fixtures in the home. It’s where we wash dishes, rinse fruits and vegetables, and pour out leftover liquids. As a result, it’s also one of the most likely places for clogs to form.
Clogs can be a major headache, but they’re also preventable. By following a few simple steps, you can keep your kitchen sink drains clean and flowing freely.
### 1. Regularly Remove Food Debris
One of the best ways to prevent clogs is to regularly remove food debris from the drain. This can be done by using a strainer to catch food scraps before they go down the drain, or by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain once a week to help dissolve any grease or buildup.
### 2. Use a Drain Cleaner
If you do experience a clog, there are a number of drain cleaners that you can use to clear it. However, it’s important to read the labels carefully and follow the directions for use. Some drain cleaners can be harmful to your pipes if they’re not used properly.
### 3. Call a Plumber
If you’re unable to clear the clog yourself, you may need to call a plumber. Plumbers have the tools and experience to clear even the most stubborn clogs.
### 4. Preventative Measures
In addition to the steps above, there are a number of things you can do to help prevent clogs from forming in the first place. These include:
– **Don’t pour grease or oil down the drain.** Grease and oil can solidify and clog the pipes.
– **Don’t put coffee grounds or eggshells down the drain.** Coffee grounds and eggshells can also clog the pipes.
– **Use a garbage disposal sparingly.** Garbage disposals can grind up food scraps, but they can also contribute to clogs if they’re used too often.
– **Flush the drain with hot water regularly.** Flushing the drain with hot water can help to dissolve grease and buildup.
By following these tips, you can keep your kitchen sink drains clean and flowing freely.
## Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for keeping your kitchen sink drains clean:
– **Use a drain cover.** A drain cover can help to catch food scraps and other debris before they go down the drain.
– **Clean the drain stopper regularly.** The drain stopper can collect hair and other debris, which can lead to clogs.
– **Don’t use harsh chemicals to clean the drain.** Harsh chemicals can damage the pipes.
– **If you have a septic tank, be careful about what you put down the drain.** Some products, such as bleach and cleaning solutions, can kill the beneficial bacteria in the septic tank.
## How to Clean a Clogged Drain
If you do experience a clogged drain, there are a number of things you can do to try to clear it yourself. Here are a few tips:
– **Use a plunger.** A plunger can help to create suction that can dislodge the clog.
– **Use a drain snake.** A drain snake is a long, flexible tool that can be inserted into the drain to remove the clog.
– **Use a chemical drain cleaner.** Chemical drain cleaners can dissolve the clog, but it’s important to read the labels carefully and follow the directions for use.
– **Call a plumber.** If you’re unable to clear the clog yourself, you may need to call a plumber.
## Conclusion
Keeping your kitchen sink drains clean is important to prevent clogs and ensure that your sink drains properly. By following the tips in this article, you can keep your drains clean and flowing freely.