How to Fix a Slow Draining Bathroom Sink

Most slow-draining bathroom sinks are clogged with hair, soap scum, and debris that can be cleared using hot water, baking soda and vinegar, or by removing and cleaning the pop-up stopper.

1. Fish Out the Obvious Clogs. Pull out any hair or obvious debris you can see in the drain opening. Use needle-nose pliers or tweezers to grab stubborn clumps. This simple step often improves drainage immediately.
2. Melt the Buildup Away. Boil a large pot of water and slowly pour it down the drain in two to three stages, allowing the hot water to work for several seconds between pours. The heat helps dissolve soap scum and loosen hair clogs.
3. Harness the Fizz Factor. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with a wet cloth and let it sit for 15 minutes. The chemical reaction breaks down organic buildup. Finish with hot water.
4. Clean the Hidden Hair Trap. Most bathroom sinks have a pop-up stopper that lifts out easily. Grab the stopper and pull straight up while wiggling gently. Clean off the hair and grime wrapped around the bottom, then rinse thoroughly before reinstalling.
5. Access the Pivot Rod. If the pop-up stopper won't lift out, look under the sink for the horizontal pivot rod connecting to the drain. Unscrew the retaining nut, slide out the rod, then remove the stopper from above. Clean everything before reassembling.
6. Break Through Stubborn Blockages. Feed a drain snake or wire coat hanger bent into a hook down the drain. Work it around to catch hair and debris, then pull everything out. This reaches clogs that other methods miss.