Have you ever noticed black slime crawling out of your sink drain? You may feel embarrassed or disgusted by the sight, but we can reassure you it's an entirely natural problem many of our customers complain about. Using these tips can help you address the issue.
Why Is There a Black Ring Around Your Sink Drain?
Every time you use your sink, grime washes down the drain along with water. Whether you're washing your hands or rinsing your toothbrush, you leave behind grease, dirt, oil, hair and other substances that stick together and grow over time. The slime you see is a combination of all those things.
How to Clear Out the Black Slime in Your Sink Drain
We recommend trying these two approaches to eliminate the sludge in your drain:
1. Use a Natural Cleaner
The combination of baking soda and vinegar proves effective on just about any slime. The chemical reaction of the baking soda and vinegar, which has antibacterial properties, can break up the slime. If you pour in boiling water after you dump in the vinegar and baking soda combo, it will wash away any leftover slime.
Begin by pouring up to a whole box of baking soda down the drain, depending on the severity of the slime. Then pour in the vinegar, up to half a bottle. You should hear or see the fizzing. Let it react for about five minutes, then slowly pour the boiling water down the drain.
2. Use a Drain Cleaner
While many people prefer a natural solution for dealing with black slime, sometimes you need a more powerful approach. You can use a drain cleaner to get all lingering dirt and grime out of your pipes.
Before you begin, read the directions on the drain cleaner bottle. Use gloves as you pour it down your drain, being careful to avoid sloshing it around the sink. Let the mixture sit for as long as the bottle calls for, usually around a half-hour.
Run hot water down the drain for several minutes until the drain runs freely and you no longer see black slime in the sink.
