My bathroom sink has been draining slower by the day, and plumbers are fully booked until after Christmas. What can I try first?

This method works best if the pipes are metal, as boiling water can damage PVC pipes or loosen their joints. Always check your plumbing material before proceeding. If effective, you should notice an improvement in the drainage speed as the hot water melts away the clogs.

A natural and eco-friendly alternative to chemical drain cleaners is the classic baking soda and vinegar combination. Start by pouring about half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. The chemical reaction between these two substances causes fizzing, which can help dislodge clogs.

Let the mixture sit for about 15-30 minutes, then flush the drain with hot water to help wash away the loosened debris. This method is effective for minor clogs and is safe for most types of plumbing.

If manual methods haven’t worked, try using a wet/dry vacuum to suck out the clog. First, set the vacuum to the liquid setting and create a tight seal around the drain with a wet cloth or duct tape. Turn the vacuum on to suck out the clog from the drain.