Have you noticed a small hole at the top of the sink that some people call a water point?
Well, this is the overflow hole in a sink.
It’s a secret channel running along the sink basin’s underside. This sink overflow plays many important functions such as fast draining etc. But sometimes due to lack of maintenance, overflow sink hole can also experience blockage. This blockage affects the functionality of the sink and that’s when we start searching for ways to clean the overflow sink hole.
Before we talk about the cleaning methods in detail, be mindful that overlooking its maintenance can be a nightmare. An overflow sink can be a bigger trouble than you think as it compromises the functionality of your kitchen. It serves as a ground for microorganisms affecting your kitchen hygiene. Also, it causes a foul odor that is intolerable. So, that’s why preventing blockage and cleaning overflow hole is important.
Let’s find out more about this common kitchen problem and find effective solutions to deal with it.
Table of Contents
What is Overflow Hole in Sink and Its Purpose
As described earlier, an overflow sinkhole is a small cavity in your sink. It is connected to the drain pipe at the back of the sink. This is a common preventive measure that is important for the maintenance of your kitchen sink.
Getting a sink with an overflow hole is not essential. But have you ever wondered why having an overflow hole is important for you? This is simply because of the functions it performs. These include:
- It helps to drain your kitchen sink faster by providing an additional path leading to the drain pipes.
- Other than this, if you left your kitchen faucet running unintentionally, it also minimizes the chances of your sink overflowing.
Cleaning Overflow Sink Hole
We are often considerate about preventing and cleaning overflow sinks.
Right?
But what about the overflow hole?
Just like your sink, an overflow sinkhole is also exposed to food residues, grease, solid leftovers, mineral buildup, etc, This may result in its blockage and cause problems without even being noticeable. That’s why it’s important to periodically clean it just as you clean your kitchen drains. Otherwise, you will end up replacing your kitchen sink.
When it comes to finding a suitable cleaning option for your sink hole people often prefer home-based solutions. And why not when they are cheaper and easy?
Some of the easy solutions for cleaning overflow sinkholes are:
Cleaning Overflow Hole with Boiling Water
This is one of the easiest methods to clear the overflow hole. Here is the step-by-step procedure to clean the overflow hole.
Gather Supplies
To perform the cleaning, you first need to gather the right kind of tools and supplies. Here are a few things that you will need to perform hot water cleaning:
- Sink-cleaning brush or microfiber cloth
- Boiling hot water
- Funnel made up of non-conductor material.
Clean with Brush or Fiber Cloth
The cleaning process begins with sticking the sink-cleaning rush or microfiber cloth into the overflow hole. Move the brush or cloth several times in and out to clear the buildup.
Place the Funnel
Once you clear it, now it’s time to place the funnel at the mouth of the sinkhole. The funnel should be made up of insulators and heat-resistant material to withstand the temperature of hot boiling water.
Pour Boiling Water
Now it’s time to pour the hot boiling water through the funnel. Make sure to pour the boiling water slowly to let it perform the cleaning well. Be careful when you are pouring the water through it and don’t splash it.
Repeat it
One-time cleaning with hot boiling water is not enough and you might need several rounds of it. So, make sure you repeat the process multiple times to get the best results.
Cleaning Overflow Sink Hole with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Have you heard about cleaning your kitchen sink using baking soda and vinegar?
Not only this but this is also used for cleaning your kitchen cabinets.
This is undeniably a powerful duo. The cleaning action of baking soda and vinegar can even help you to deal with the clogged overflow sink and sinkhole. Let’s find out how.
Gather Supplies
The first step of the cleaning process remains the same. You need to collect the right supplies first. Some of the cleaning essentials for overflow cleaning are:
- Sink-cleaning brush or microfiber cloth
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Boiling water
- Funnel made up of insulator material.
Clean with Brush or Fiber Cloth
Place the sink-cleaning brush or fiber cloth into the hole to remove the accumulated waste. This initial cleaning will ensure the right supply of cleaning agents.
Place the Funnel
Place the funnel into an overflow sinkhole. This will help you to pour the agents through the hole. While choosing a funnel, make sure to go with insulator materials so they can tolerate heat.
Pour Baking Soda
Now it’s time to place the funnel and pour baking soda. Make sure to add a sufficient quantity of baking soda depending on the extent of the blockage. You can start with one cup of baking soda.
Add Vinegar
After adding baking soda, use the funnel to pour vinegar. You can use diluted vinegar (1:1 water vinegar ratio) for cleaning purposes. Now wait for another 15 minutes and let the magic happen.
Flush with Water
Now you can add boiling hot water to the cleaning site to ensure better results. Be careful while pouring the hot water down the funnel.
Assess and Repeat
The cleaning process will remove all the blockage as well as eliminate the foul smell. However, if you are not satisfied with the results you can repeat the process.
Cleaning Sink Hole for Functional Kitchen Sink
Sink overflows are a common kitchen problem. But you can easily prevent these by choosing a sink with an overflow sinkhole. This hole is internally connected to the drain pipes and ensures an efficient drain. However, due to continuous exposure to debris and leftovers in kitchen sinks, there are chances of its blockage.
But don’t worry because a clogged overflow hole can be repaired at home. All you need is a few kitchen ingredients and you can get rid of it. However, if none of these remedies work and you still find issues, then make sure to hire a professional for it.
