Cleaning kitchen sink drain- the bit right under the plug

[FlowersFlowersEverywhere]

Hi have just tried the MrMuscle foam stuff, because I could see that under the plug hole the neck of the pipe had a big build up of gunk. The Mr Muscle has done virtually nothing. I can’t get a scrubbing brush down there because the plug hole bit is sealed. So wonderful Mumsnetters, how do you get that bit of the sink pipe clean??? 🤷‍♀️

It’s easy job to unscrew the U bend with bucket under it clean it and put back on. It’s only held on with 2 plastic screw thingys

That did not occur to me 🙈 and I’m usually quite a DIY person too…although not a cleaning person - perhaps I can blame it on that! 😂

Just checked the pipe work and it’s not the u-bend bit, it’s above that right by the plug hole, and also I can’t take any of the pipe work off - as we have a double sink/drainer the pipe work is more complicated than a simple u-bend and it can’t be removed by anyone other than a plumber. So - back to chemicals or other techniques…

I know what bit u mean. We got a new plug/ plastic and metal thing it sits in. the old one was so disgusting, full of brown slime, this was just after we used sink unblocker too. No idea how to clean that without taking the whole thing out

I’ve had some success with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.

My plumber told me to do a squirt of bleach followed 10 mins later by a kettle full of boiling water, every week, for maintenance.

You can use a narrow brush pushed through the plug hole. Google "bottle brush", "pipe brush" or "tube brush". Get a set with at least 3 sizes.

On that Stacey Solomon programme the guy unscrewed the whole plug section. There was a groove across the middle which he turned and whole section pulled out.

Yes! I saw that Stacey Solomon programme too. The guy used a radiator key (the other end) to slot onto the grove and was able to unscrew the drain but in the plug hole. I keep meaning to try it myself.

And treat yourself to a sonic scrubber (19 quid from Amazon). Basically an oversized electric toothbrush but very handy for getting into places and giving a good clean. I use it with pink stuff (a quid from most pound stores).

Saw the Stacey Solomon show and used that tip last week. We just used the finger grip part of a regular key (husband had to unscrew it).

I was able to unscrew mine with a teaspoon.