An easy way to unblock your sink (Domestos Sink and Drain Unblocker)

Member Name: pink_glitter

Product:	Domestos Sink and Drain Unblocker
Date:	21/03/09 (800 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: easy to use, clears blockages, kills germs, cheaper than a plumber!

Disadvantages: not very environmentally friendly

I use one of those hair trap thingy's in the bath, you know, the little strainer type thing that sits over your plughole to stop all the hair going down and blocking the drains. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to work completely as I still find myself pulling hair from the plughole, and lately I noticed that the water was very slow to drain out of the bath, so decided to try something to stop it.

Like any product of this type, price was the deciding factor for me. This was on special offer when I bought it, making it £1 less than any other brands available, and quite frankly when it comes to cleaning and that sort of thing, I'd rather save my pennies. That £1 saved can buy me a cheap bubble bath or something!

The product comes in a black bottle with an unusual shaped top - I think it's supposed to represent a U-bend. It also tells me in big letters that this is '15 minute' although look closer and you will see a little asterisk after it, because some sort of blockages can take up to 2 hours to clear.

On the back of the bottle it gives a little table, telling you the type of blockages this stuff fights. You can use it on standing water and just leave until the water starts to drain. For bathroom blockages such as hair and soap scum, it takes 10-15min, kitchen blockages of 'grease/protein (meat, fish etc)' will take 15-30 and kitchen blockages of 'carbohydrate/vegetables (pasta, cereal etc) will take up to 2 hours. Why you'd be stuffing pasta or fish down the kitchen sink though, I have no idea.

To use, you simply pour the entire contents of the bottle (500ml) down the drain and leave it. Very simple. The liquid is like a clear, thick gel and has quite a chemical smell to it. I don't know exactly what's in it, but apparently it can burn the skin, so it might be an idea to wear gloves when pouring it, just in case.

After 15 minutes, I poured warm water down the plughole like directed, and was pleased to see that the water ran away quickly so whatever blockage was there had obviously gone. This also kills any germs which are breeding in the blockage (yuk!) which can only be a good thing, and will get rid of any smells too. I don't know how exactly it works, my only guess would be that the chemicals simply dissolve whatever is lurking in your pipes.

I paid £1.93 for this from Wilkinsons which was on special offer - I believe the normal price is closer to the £3 mark.

Overall I was really pleased with the performance of this product. Obviously it's not the most environmentally friendly way of doing things, but ironically I think it was all the 'bits' from my supposedly natural Lush bath products that caused the blockage in the first place. Still, I would recommend it, and would certainly consider buying it again.

Summary: It worked for me.