Sometimes, we notice a weird looking, almost creepy kind of black stuff that looks like it’s coming up out of the drain in our bathroom sinks. When you touch it, you’ll notice it’s both slimy and weird. Keep in mind that this happens, but isn’t normal and something you should have in your homes. So you’ll need to get rid of it right away.
What is drain gunk?
The weird looking black stuff in your drain is nothing more than a combination of things that go down your drain. This usually includes decomposing hair, soap scum, toothpaste grit, shaving cream residue, skin cells, etc. It’s an accumulation of the mildew, bacteria and decomposing items that’s growing at a rapid pace due to the lukewarm water used to wash your hands, face, etc.
What can you do about drain gunk?
If you have a drain snake, now is a good time to put it to use and clear your drain using the drain snake. This is the easiest solution. However, if you don’t have a drain snake, the next best thing to do is make a solution that you can pour into your drain to help clear it.
Drain cleaning solution
1. Put a pot of water on the stove; turn the burner on high; bring to a boil. 2. While the water gets heated up, pour some baking soda down the drain. Baking soda has the ability to neutralize fatty acids so it will work to eat away the grime while you are waiting for the water to boil. 3. Once the water has reached a rolling boil, remove it from the pot from the stove and pour the hot water down the drain. 4. Let the water and baking soda work at breaking up the grime for 10 minutes. 5. When the time is up, pour 1 cup of bleach down the drain to kill any remaining mildew or bacteria.
For sinks it is necessary that you repeat this process every few months. This is because sinks are used more frequently and for multiple reasons. Staying on top of your drain cleaning routine should keep the gunk from accumulating and clogging the sink drain.
How to prevent drain gunk accumulation and clogging
Bathrooms
For bathroom sinks and tubs, the number one cause of clogs is from toothpaste and long hair. If you have a clog in your bathroom sink or tub, cover the drain and fill it with hot water so you can let it out the drain and once and flush the insides of the drain. If it doesn’t work, try using a plunger or a drain snake.
After a shower or brushing your teeth, make sure some hot water is on to run down your drain and clear up the gunk from materials in your toothpaste or shampoo. If you have longer hair, invest in a drain saver for your bathtub that catches longer hair and lets you throw it away, instead of taking it down the pipes where it can clump and cause clogs.
Toilets
As a rule, there are only two things that should go down a toilet and that’s human waste and toilet paper. Anything else is advised against, won’t biodegrade, and will possibly get stuck in the pipes. No one wants to deal with a backed up toilet and the inconvenience it creates. If plunging and snaking a toilet doesn’t get rid of the clog, you should consider calling a professional.
Kitchen Drains
If you have a clog in your kitchen drain, you can use hot water and dish soap to loosen and eat away at the clog. Be sure to use super hot water down the drain to soften the clog, following up with some grease dissolving dish soap.
If this doesn’t work, try using a plunger, pouring a second round of hot water and soap and plunging again. You can also try putting a foaming mixture of equal parts baking soda and vinegar down the pipes to try and unclog the pipes naturally without causing any damages.
