How To Clean Grease Out Of Sink Drains

Quick answer: To clean grease out of a sink drain, start with hot water and dish soap to loosen the grease, then use baking soda followed by vinegar to break up what's left. If the sink is still slow, plunge it or clean out the P-trap. Avoid chemical drain cleaners and don't pour boiling water into PVC pipes. If grease has built up further down the line, you'll need a plumber.

Grease is one of the most common causes of kitchen sink clogs. It goes down as a liquid, then cools and sticks to the inside of the pipe, catching food scraps until water can barely get through. Here's how to tell if grease is the problem, how to clear it safely, and how to keep it from coming back. If you'd rather have it handled for you, our kitchen drain cleaning service clears grease clogs across Reno and Sparks.

Signs Your Sink Drain Is Clogged With Grease

• Water drains slowly, especially after washing dishes
• A sour or rancid smell comes from the drain
• Gurgling sounds when water goes down
• Water backs up into the other side of a double sink
• The problem keeps coming back even after you clear it

A slow sink can have other causes too. See how to fix a slow draining sink for a broader checklist.

Why Grease Clogs Drains

Cooking oil, bacon fat, butter, and sauces are liquid when they're hot, but they cool quickly inside the pipe. As they cool, they coat the pipe walls in a sticky layer that traps food particles and soap. Over time the opening gets narrower until the drain slows or stops. That's why fat, oil, and grease should never go down the drain, even in small amounts.

5 Ways to Clean Grease Out of a Sink Drain

1. Hot Water and Dish Soap

Best for a slow drain with fresh grease buildup.

1. Squirt a few tablespoons of grease-cutting dish soap into the drain.
2. Follow with a pot of very hot water. Use hot tap water if you have PVC pipes; only use boiling water on metal pipes.
3. Wait a few minutes, then run hot water for another minute to flush it through.

2. Baking Soda, Then Vinegar

Best for grease mixed with food residue.

1. Remove any standing water from the sink.
2. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain.
3. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar in after it. Don't mix them beforehand.
4. Cover the drain with a stopper or damp cloth and wait 15 minutes.
5. Flush with hot water. Repeat once if the drain is still slow.

3. Plunge the Sink

Use a flat cup plunger, not a toilet plunger. If you have a double sink, block the other drain with a stopper or wet cloth so the pressure goes toward the clog. Fill the sink with enough water to cover the plunger cup, then plunge firmly 10 to 15 times.

4. Clean Out the P-Trap

Grease often collects in the U-shaped pipe under the sink. Place a bucket underneath, loosen the slip nuts by hand or with pliers, remove the trap, and scrape out the buildup. Rinse it, reconnect it, and run water to check for leaks.

5. Use an Enzyme Drain Cleaner

Enzyme cleaners use natural bacteria to break down grease and food waste. They work slowly, so use them overnight and follow the label. They're better for regular maintenance than for a full blockage, and they're gentler on pipes and septic systems than chemical cleaners.

What Not to Do

• Don't use chemical drain cleaners. Caustic cleaners can damage pipes and often sit on top of a grease clog without clearing it.
• Don't pour boiling water into PVC pipes. High heat can weaken plastic joints.
• Don't run the disposal to "grind up" grease. A disposal doesn't break down grease; it just sends it further down the line. If your disposal is jammed, see how to fix a clogged garbage disposal.

How to Prevent Grease Clogs

• Pour cooled grease into a can or jar and throw it in the trash
• Wipe greasy pans and plates with a paper towel before washing
• Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps
• Run hot water with a little dish soap after washing greasy dishes
• Use an enzyme cleaner once a month as maintenance

When to Call a Plumber

Call a professional if the sink stays clogged after trying these methods, if more than one drain is slow, or if water backs up into the dishwasher or other fixtures. That usually means grease has built up further down the line, where home tools can't reach. For heavy buildup, hydro jetting cleans the full inside of the pipe instead of just punching through the clog.

Restaurants and commercial kitchens deal with much more grease than a home. Along with regular line cleaning, we offer used cooking oil and yellow grease pickup to keep grease out of the drains in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does baking soda and vinegar really clear grease?

It can loosen light grease and food residue near the top of the drain. Pour the baking soda in first, then the vinegar, and flush with hot water. It won't clear heavy buildup deep in the line.

Is it safe to pour boiling water down a sink drain?

Only if your drain pipes are metal. Boiling water can weaken PVC joints, so use hot tap water instead if you have plastic pipes.

Does dish soap dissolve grease in pipes?

Grease-cutting dish soap followed by hot water can break up fresh grease. It works best on minor buildup and as a regular habit after washing greasy dishes.

Can grease clog the main sewer line?

Yes. Grease that makes it past the sink can collect further down in the main line, where it causes backups in multiple fixtures. That kind of buildup usually needs professional cleaning.

How do I dispose of cooking grease properly?

Let it cool, pour it into a sealed can or jar, and throw it in the trash. Large amounts from restaurants should be collected by a grease recycling service.

Grease Clog That Won't Budge? Call Easy Rooter Plumbing

Easy Rooter Plumbing has served Reno and Sparks since 1979. Our licensed team (NV License #0084079/A-15 and #0026656A/C-1) clears kitchen sink clogs, grease-coated drain lines, and main line backups, with free estimates and 24/7 emergency service. Call (775) 331-3636 to schedule service.