One spoon of this and your sink flows like new again — here’s how

Water lingers, grey and sulky, while your morning clock ticks louder. You picture a pricey bottle of harsh gel or a call-out fee you didn’t budget for, and you stall on the tap like that might change physics.

I was standing in a Hackney kitchen at 7:12am when the familiar choke began. Kettle on, toast up, and the bowl filled itself like a slow-motion warning. The tenant shrugged, told me the last miracle cleaner left a smell stronger than last night’s garlic, and handed me a small jar marked “bicarb”. I tapped in a spoon, waited, added a whisper of washing-up liquid, then the not-quite-boiling kettle. A minute later, the water turned obedient and clear, pulling the last crumbs of the day with it. Something so small had no right to work so well. A trick that feels almost cheeky.

The tiny fix hiding in your cupboard

Here’s the thing: most slow sinks aren’t dramatic blockages. They’re the daily build-up of soap scum, a film of grease, coffee dust and time. One spoon of bicarbonate of soda changes the mood of that mix, loosening the gunk enough for hot water to usher it away.

You could see it in a Walthamstow flat where the sink had sulked for weeks. The tenant swore she’d tried everything short of a crowbar. One spoon of bicarb, a flick of washing-up liquid, then water just off the boil, and the drain took a breath like a runner hitting fresh air. It costs pennies and smells like nothing.

There’s a quiet logic underneath the magic. Bicarbonate of soda lifts odours and nudges fatty residues, while a tiny hit of detergent breaks the slick that makes grease cling. Add hot water to thin the film, or pair bicarb with a splash of vinegar for a fizz that shakes loose the biofilm lining your pipe. Not fireworks — just enough agitation to send everyday debris on its way.

One spoon, three moves

Start with one tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle it directly down the plughole and around the rim. Add a small squirt of washing-up liquid, then pour a kettle of water that’s been off the boil for 30–60 seconds. Let it sit for one minute, then flush with a jug of hot tap water until it runs clear.

If your sink has an overflow, cover it with a damp cloth while you pour, so the push stays focused. If you prefer the fizz, follow the bicarb with 100 ml of plain white vinegar and let it bubble for 5–10 minutes before the hot water flush. Do not pour boiling water straight into PVC pipework. Wait those seconds. Metal sinks tolerate heat better, but the off-the-boil rule keeps you safe either way.

Real life can be messy, and some clogs are stubborn. If there’s standing water, bail it out first so the spoonful reaches the target. Never mix this method with chlorine bleach or a commercial drain opener you used earlier in the day; give it 24 hours and plenty of fresh water first. *It feels like cheating, but it’s really just gentle chemistry done on time.* Let’s be honest: nobody actually does that every day.

“Most kitchen slow-downs are grease and soap. Once you cut the slick, water’s your friend again,” said a South London plumber who’s seen more sinks than Friday night dishes.

• Stop if you’ve recently used a caustic drain gel. Flush the system with lots of water and wait a day.
• Keep a spoon, a small jar of bicarb, and a microfibre cloth under the sink for a two-minute reset.
• Cover the overflow with a damp cloth to focus the flow down the trap.
• Use the method weekly in kitchens that see heavy cooking. Light use? Every couple of weeks is plenty.
• Call a pro if water backs up in multiple fixtures or you hear gurgling from the loo.

What changes when water moves freely

When a sink flows like new, the kitchen feels lighter. You stop gaming out who will plunge next time, and you cook without that little voice saying, “Will this be the thing that tips it?” The habit of a single spoon resets the rhythm of the room, and the small victory is oddly satisfying.

There’s a ripple effect too. You may start rinsing pans a touch warmer, wiping plates before they hit the bowl, and emptying coffee grounds into the food caddy instead of the plughole. Tiny shifts compound. A clean-running drain lowers smells, trims limescale rings, and spares you the harsh stuff that strips lungs and wallets. Friends who try it once often text the same line: “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” Share it with the person who texts you back with a sink selfie and a grin.

FAQ :

• How big is “one spoon”?About one tablespoon. You don’t need to pack it; a level spoon is plenty for routine slow-downs.
• Can I use baking powder instead of bicarbonate?Use pure bicarbonate of soda. Baking powder includes acids and starch that dilute the effect.
• Is it safe for all pipes?Yes for typical domestic drains when used with hot-not-boiling water. Avoid pouring boiling water into PVC, and never mix with bleach or caustic gels.
• What if the sink is completely blocked?Bail out the water, try a plunger to move the plug, then use the spoon method as maintenance after flow returns. Persistent blockages need a plumber’s snake or a pro.
• Will this remove hair clogs in the bathroom?It helps with soap scum and odour, but hair knots may need a drain brush or hook. Use the bicarb method as a follow-up flush.