What you will need
- A cup plunger for sinks and a flange plunger for toilets
- A plastic barbed drain strip
- A bucket and old towels
- Rubber gloves
- A kettle of hot, not boiling, water for plastic pipes
Steps, in order of effort
- Remove and clean the stopper. In bathroom basins, the pop-up stopper collects hair and soap. Lift it out or unscrew the pivot rod nut beneath to free it.
- Use the barbed strip. Push it down, twist and pull. Hair comes out with it.
- Plunge properly. Block the overflow with a wet cloth, cover the drain with the cup and use firm, steady strokes.
- Flush with hot water to carry away loosened grease in kitchen drains.
- Open the trap. With a bucket below, unscrew the slip nuts and clean the U-shaped trap by hand.
Why not chemicals? Caustic openers generate heat, can damage older pipes and finishes, and make the job dangerous for anyone who opens the pipe afterwards.
When to stop
If the clog is beyond the trap, or several fixtures are slow at once, the problem is deeper in the system. That calls for professional drain cleaning rather than more effort with household tools.
Keeping drains clear
Hair catchers in tubs and showers, scraping plates into the compost bin, and never pouring grease into the sink prevent most clogs. In winter, an outdoor tap left connected to a hose can freeze; our guide to winterizing outdoor faucets covers that seasonal task.
Worth knowing
Answers our Mississauga crew gives most
Does baking soda and vinegar work?
It may freshen a drain but rarely clears a real clog. Mechanical methods work better.
Can I plunge a double sink?
Yes, but block the other drain first so pressure is not lost.
Is boiling water safe for my pipes?
For plastic pipes and toilets, use hot tap water rather than boiling water.