Can I mix vinegar and baking soda to unclog a kitchen sink drain in a rental?

Short answer

Why people ask this

Tenants want a quick, cheap DIY fix for a slow or smelly kitchen sink without risking their security deposit. In rentals, leases may restrict chemical drain openers or tenant-made plumbing repairs, making vinegar and baking soda seem safer. People also worry about causing problems in shared lines in multi-unit buildings. They may be unsure if the fizzing is okay with a garbage disposal, older pipes, or after maintenance has used bleach in the drain.

When it might be safe

• Minor slow drain from soap film or odors (not a hard blockage), with no standing water in the sink
• No recent use of bleach or chemical drain openers, and you can ventilate to avoid vinegar odor bothering neighbors
• Small amounts (1/2 cup baking soda + 1/2–1 cup vinegar), 10–15 minutes of fizzing, then flush with hot (not boiling) water if pipes are PVC
• You can access the P-trap afterward to clear loosened debris and avoid pushing material deeper into shared lines

When it is not safe

• Full blockage or standing water (risk of pushing a grease plug deeper into the building stack)
• Recent use of bleach or caustic/openers (mixing can release harmful gases or splatter)
• Garbage disposal jammed or unknown; fizzing can cause splashback through the disposal
• Older galvanized or fragile plumbing and rubber gaskets where prolonged acidic soaking is discouraged
• Your lease or building policy forbids tenant drain treatments or requires maintenance requests first

Possible risks

• Driving the clog past the P-trap into shared lines, potentially causing a neighbor’s backup (and liability)
• Splashback or overflow through the disposal or overflow opening, making cleanup and odor issues for adjacent units
• Lease or maintenance policy violations that could result in charges or deposit deductions
• Prolonged vinegar exposure degrading rubber gaskets or disposal components
• Temporary relief that returns quickly if the real issue is grease, disposal blades, or a deep line obstruction

Safer alternatives

• Submit a maintenance request per your lease; document slow drains early to avoid charges
• Physically clear the P-trap: place a bucket, remove the trap, and clean out grease and debris
• Use a sink plunger with the overflow sealed and the disposal powered off; then try a short drain snake
• Run very hot water with a small amount of dish soap to emulsify grease (avoid boiling water in PVC)
• Use a landlord-approved enzymatic/bacterial drain maintainer for organic buildup (not for solid grease plugs)
• For disposals: press reset, manually turn with an Allen key, and clear the splash guard of trapped debris

Bottom line

Vinegar and baking soda can freshen and help with light film in a rental’s kitchen sink, but they’re weak on grease clogs and can push problems deeper in shared plumbing. Check your lease first, avoid mixing with chemical openers, and don’t use it on full blockages or jammed disposals. When in doubt, clean the P-trap, try proper plunging/snaking, or contact maintenance to protect your deposit.

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