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How to unblock and clean bathroom drains

A modern bathroom with a bath, shower and cabinet with a basin on it, in there

Overview

Blocked bathroom drains are a pain. Unblocking your drains regularly will help prevent them from clogging up to the point that you’ll need to call a plumber. Here are some quick and easy ways to clear light blockages in your bathroom drains.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses and gloves for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Unblock the sink

    Drains in the bathroom work hard and can get clogged up over time. An efficient and non-toxic way to loosen the muck is to use cleaning vinegar and baking soda. This combination will get drains flowing freely again.

    To do this, pour a cup of freshly boiled hot water down the drain. Next, pour a cup of baking soda into the drain. Follow this with a cup of half boiling water and half cleaning vinegar, and put the plug into the drain. Leave it in for five to ten minutes to allow the solution to work its magic. After the time is up, pour a pot filled with boiling water down the drain to flush out all the loosened gunk.

    A person pouring liquid into a white basin
  2. 2

    Clean the shower

    A daily dose of soap, shampoo and hair is a combination that will clog shower drains quickly. It’s important to clean shower drains regularly to prevent any major, expensive blockages.

    Start by removing anything you can grab with your fingers, like clumps of hair or small toys. Next, grab some drain cleaner, read and follow the instructions on the packaging, and pour it down the drain. Wait a few minutes and then rinse with fresh, cool water. This cleaner has a concentrated enzyme formula that breaks down everyday dirt and grime and clears slow or blocked drains.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: If the water still doesn’t flow freely, repeat the process, and leave the cleaner in the drain overnight before rinsing it.
    A person pouring liquid onto tiles
  3. 3

    Clean the toilet

    The most common household drain blockage is the toilet. A simple plunger solves most problems in this department. Simply place the plunger into the bowl, make sure there is enough water left to cover the plunger and push firmly in and out, making sure you keep the seal tight as you do so. This motion forces water up and down the drain, loosening any blockages and ultimately clearing the drain.

    If you do this a few times without any luck, it’s time to try a toilet auger. Insert the cable into the toilet bowl and twist the handle. As you rotate the handle, the metal cable will twist and effectively drill through the blockages in the drain without scratching the pipes along the way. Take it out and then try flushing the toilet to see if the blockage has cleared.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: If none of these methods work, or you find your drains getting blocked often, we recommend speaking to a professional plumber to sort out the problem once and for all.
    A toilet with a pipe in it
  4. 4

    Ready to get started?

    Head in-store today to gather what you need to sort out those drains. If you’re feeling inspired to tackle another D.I.Y. essential home maintenance project, check out our guide on how to clean grout and get it white again.

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.