Over time, bathroom sinks can get dirty, clogged and even smelly due to consistent use. The bathroom sink drain is one of the most neglected areas due to the fact that it’s hidden beneath a plug. However, it’s also highly important that we keep our drains clean to avoid having to deal with clogs or bad smells in the bathroom sink.

What is the black gunk in my bathroom sink drain?

The gunk we see in our bathroom sink drain is typically a combination of soap scum, hair, biofilm and even mold. Gross, right? Don’t worry though - below are some tips on how to clean the gunk out of your bathroom sink drain.

1. Hot water: Good old fashioned hot water is a great way to melt away any soap scum or other build up stuck in the bathroom sink drain. Simply heat a kettle or pot of water and pour it down the sink. Caution: Be careful not to use boiling water on sinks with PVC pipes as they could become damaged.
2. Baking soda and vinegar: Start by removing the sink stopper and sprinkling half a cup of baking soda into and around the drain opening. Next, pour half a cup of white vinegar into the drain and plug the drain with the stopper to seal in the mixture. Wait for 15-30 minutes, then rinse the solution with warm or boiling water. These ingredients work well to fizz away any debris clinging to the drain pipes!
3. Drain cleaner: You can use bleach or a professional drain cleaning product such as Drano to cut through tough build up. Drano Dual Force Foamer Clog Remover or Drano Hair Buster Gel are ideal for cleaning a bathroom sink drain. The fast-acting formula of Drano products works to provide a deep cleanse and remove clogs and debris in the drain without damaging the pipes. Click on the product links to find out more on how to use them safely.
4. Snake the drain: If you have a drain snake like the Drano^® Snake Plus Tool + Gel System, you can use it to scrape away any hair clogs or black gunk inside the drain. Then, the powerful Drano^® gel clears it away! For more tips on how to unclog a bathroom sink drain, see more advice in this clog-busting blog.

You may also notice black gunk or limescale on the end of the faucet, or build up on the faucet itself. Cleaning a bathroom sink faucet is important as it’s the part we touch the most and it can be a breeding ground for bacteria if left dirty.

How do you clean a faucet? with vinegar and baking soda?

To clean a bathroom sink faucet, try a cleaner that can power through tough soap scum and grime like Scrubbing Bubbles^® Disinfectant Bathroom Grime Fighter Trigger. It has a pleasant scent, too! Always follow the usage instructions on the label.

The stopper or plug is usually the part of the bathroom sink drain that accumulates gunk and build up. This can cause your sink to drain slowly, and it can even be dislodged and cause a blockage further down the pipe. Therefore, it’s a good idea to clean your bathroom sink drain stopper regularly. Most stoppers can be removed by hand, but some pop up stoppers are fixed into the sink.

Here’s how to clean a bathroom sink stopper in 4 easy steps:

1. Take the stopper out of the drain by twisting it anticlockwise until you loosen it. If it’s fixed, you’ll need to unscrew the pivot rod which fixes it in place under the sink. You can do this by hand or with a screwdriver or wrench depending on the type of fixture.
2. Once you have removed the stopper, give it a good clean with a Scrubbing Bubbles^® Disinfectant Bathroom Grime Fighter Trigger and warm water, following the usage instructions on the label, until you have removed the debris.
3. Next, use a drain snake like the Drano^® Snake Plus Tool + Gel System, to fish out any remaining hair clumps and gunk.
4. Rinse the drain with hot water, re-insert the stopper and there you have it!

Tip: Use a drain cleaning method or product such as Drano in order to fully cleanse the inside of the drain while your stopper is out of action.

The sink basin and the countertop around it can become coated in grime over time – including toothpaste stains, soap scum and bacteria from washing your hands. Wiping down the sink once a day can help to keep this build up under control, but it’s not often something we have time for in our busy day to day lives. For weekly maintenance, we’d suggest the following method:

1. Wipe the sink down with a wet cloth or sponge, making sure to clean all areas including the overflow outlet.
2. Rinse the sink with hot water and use a small container to splash the water around the whole basin and countertop. This will help to loosen any soap scum and dirt sticking to the surfaces.
3. Next, spray the sink and the surrounding areas with a bathroom cleaner. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a cleaner that’s a disinfectant, like Scrubbing Bubbles^® Disinfectant Bathroom Grime Fighter Trigger or, if you’re in a hurry, Scrubbing Bubbles^® Antibacterial Bathroom Flushable Wipes.
4. Take a clean cloth and wipe down the entire sink, paying particular attention to dirtier areas. Repeat this if required. Obviously, you can skip this step if using wipes!
5. Bonus step: Fill your clean bathroom sink with a few inches of hot water and add a cup of vinegar. Use this solution to wipe the sink, and throw any dirty items on the sink’s countertop next to it – e.g. your toothbrush holder. Let these items soak for 10 minutes, then rinse them and place them back onto your clean sink!

How do I get my bathroom sink white again?

For tough stains in your sink, it’s time to call for a specialist! Use a cleaner with stain-fighting power like Scrubbing Bubbles^® Foaming Bleach Bathroom Cleaner to help get your sink sparkling like new.

With these tips, you can rest assured that your dirty sink problems are down the drain. Need a quick reminder? Check out our helpful video guide for a recap on all these methods.

To see the full Drano product offering, click here. Head to the Clog Basics blog for more clog busting and household drain maintenance advice.