The overflow hole in the sink is probably the most underrated feature of a bathroom. You've probably never thought it was useful or important. Maybe you didn't even notice it. However, this is far from the truth because the overflow hole serves as a drain when the water in the sink is almost at maximum capacity. How to clean the sink overflow is the topic of this article.
What is an overflow hole in the sink
When cleaning your sink, pay special attention to removing debris from the drain, mold from the faucet, and stains on the surface. They scrub, disinfect, and deodorize every inch of your bathroom. Your bathroom may be clean inside and out, but you may be forgetting an essential feature that's standard in every sink: the overflow.
The overflow hole is usually located below the faucet and prevents water from spilling onto the floor when the sink is full. It is usually only a few centimeters below the full capacity of the sink. The overflow hole in the sink also introduces air into the drainage system, creating suction that allows water to flow out of the sink more quickly.
Without a sink overflow, the sink can quickly overflow and spill all over your bathroom because the water drains slower than the faucet flows. Wastewater that backs up from clogged pipes would also end up on your floor without an overflow system.
Helpful tip – sink “without” overflow: Some sinks have caps or stoppers over their overflow holes to allow the homeowner to fill the sink when necessary. So if you can't find the overflow, look behind those caps and plugs because you may have a model of sink with an overflow cover.
What are the main causes of pollution
Because it is rarely noticed, the overflow hole is rarely cleaned well. Dirt and mold enter the overflow hole and eventually lead to dirt buildup. Since the overflow hole is usually undisturbed, dirt can settle on its walls and sides and dry out and become crusty. The overflow hole can also harbor many types of bacteria, some of which are harmful to your health.
Some of the main causes of a dirty overflow hole are general dust particles getting into the sink overflow, food and organic material falling into the overflow hole, and oils from dish soap and lotions that coagulate over time.
Mold is also a common problem in overflow holes. Mold and mildew colonies can thrive in the warm, dark and humid environment, especially since the overflow hole is rarely disturbed. With these growths, the sink harbors various organisms that can cause allergies and make you sick if you breathe in their spores.
Cleaning the sink overflow – How to do it right
Since the sink overflow hole is in a humid environment and is constantly exposed to moisture, mold and mildew can form there, giving off a musty smell from your bathroom. Organic material, such as food waste and solidified oils from hair conditioners and lotions, can also cause foul odors to leak from your sink.
As with any other bathroom faucet, you need to clean the sink overflow regularly to prevent odors from escaping your sink. Be sure to scrub all reachable areas in and around the overflow to loosen dirt buildup and eliminate mold colonies. To clean the overflow hole, you will need a few simple household items.
Which home remedy will you need?
- Distilled white vinegar (not apple cider vinegar as it can stain the sink)
- baking powder
- Boiling or warm water
- Silicone or metal funnel (to withstand extreme temperatures)
- Flexible pipe brush or drain brush
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Clean the sink overflow – follow these steps
- Use the silicone or metal funnel to pour 1 cup of baking soda into the overflow hole. Then add 1 cup of white vinegar. Pour slowly as the two ingredients form a bubbling reaction. This fizzy reaction contains acidic properties that loosen dirt and grime from surfaces, making them easier to scrub. This solution also deodorizes your drainage system to eliminate foul odors.
- Let the two ingredients sit for 15-20 minutes and use a pipe brush to scrub all parts of the sink overflow that you can reach.
- Pour in a steady stream of hot, boiling water. Skip this step if your sink is not ceramic, stone, or porcelain as the boiling water could warp and damage your sink.
- Repeat the process as needed to completely deodorize the sink overflow.
- For plastic and resin sinks, allow the boiling water to cool until just warm before pouring it into the sink overflow.
- If your sink has a lid or stopper, consult the manufacturer's instructions on how to properly remove the lid before you begin. Make sure you also brush the lid to clean it completely. Use the same solution of baking soda and vinegar to remove the mold on the stopper. Rinse the cap well and allow it to dry before replacing it on the overflow hole. Do not rinse with boiling water if your stopper is made of plastic.
Helpful tip: Drain cleaning brushes are commercially available that are specifically designed for cleaning sink drains and overflows. If you have such a brush at home, it is very useful for removing dirt buildup in drains.
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