Slow drainage, recurring clogs, and bad odors don’t just “happen.” In most homes and businesses, they build up gradually as food particles, soap scum, grease, hair, and residue collect inside drain lines and drain pipes. The good news: a little routine care goes a long way.

Below are practical drain maintenance tips you can use year-round… plus what to avoid, and when it’s time to call a professional drain cleaning company.

If you’re on the northside of Chicago or nearby suburbs, Madden Sewer & Drain offers free estimates and service for both residential and commercial properties.

 

Drain Cleaning & Maintenance Schedule

A “perfect” schedule depends on how a drain is used, but these guidelines work well for most households and many small businesses:

Kitchen sink drains do well with a hot water flush and frequent emptying of strainers. Gentle DIY cleaning using baking soda + vinegar done monthly will also keep the line clear and prevent odors from forming. 

Depending on usage, we recommend a professional cleaning every 6-12 months if you cook frequently, use a garbage disposal often, or notice recurring slow drainage.

For bathroom sinks and tubs/showers, cleaning hair/debris from drain covers or strainers is your best preventative move. Professional cleaning should be done annually if you have frequent hair buildup, multiple users, or older drain pipes.

Floor drains—which are found in basements, laundry rooms, and commercial spaces—should be cleaned professionally every 6-12 months if the area is prone to sediment, soap residue, or backups. For general maintenance, check for debris and pour about 1-2 gallons of water into the trap each month to prevent sewer gas odors, which can occur when the trap dries out.

How Often Should Drains Be Cleaned?

If you want a simple rule of thumb for how often should drains be cleaned:

• Light use / no issues: DIY maintenance monthly + professional cleaning every 1–2 years
• Busy household / frequent cooking: professional cleaning every 6–12 months
• Restaurants or heavy commercial use: schedule professional service more frequently (often quarterly to biannually depending on usage and grease load)
• Recurring clogs or slow drainage: get an evaluation now—there may be a deeper issue in the drain line

When to Reach Out Immediately

If you have slow drainage, gurgling, bad smells, or repeated clogs, don’t wait to get professional help. Those are signs that buildup is already restricting flow and could turn into a backup.

 

The Best Way to Clean Your Drains (by Drain Type)

When people ask, “what is the best way to clean your drains?” the honest answer is: it depends on the drain and what’s inside it. Here are safer, effective approaches.

Kitchen drains (food + grease buildup)

Kitchen drains commonly clog from grease and food particles stuck to the inside of drain lines.

Best everyday method:

• Run hot tap water for 30–60 seconds after doing dishes.
• Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps.
• Scrape plates into the trash (not the disposal) whenever possible.

Monthly maintenance (gentle cleaning):

1. Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain.
2. Follow with 1 cup vinegar.
3. Let it fizz for 10–15 minutes.
4. Flush with hot water.

Important note: This won’t dissolve a heavy grease clog deep in the line, but it can help reduce odor and minor buildup.

Shower and tub drains (hair + soap scum)

Hair plus soap scum creates a sticky net that traps more debris.

Best method:

• Remove the drain cover and pull out visible hair (a small plastic drain tool works well).
• Rinse with hot water.
• Use a hair catcher going forward—this is one of the highest-ROI drain maintenance tips you’ll ever do.

Avoid: Forcing a rigid wire hanger down the drain. It can damage older drain pipes or push the clog deeper.

Bathroom sink drains (toothpaste + soap + hair)

These often build up slowly and smell unpleasant.

Best method:

• Clean the pop-up stopper (hair and residue collect there).
• Use the baking soda + vinegar method monthly.
• If the sink is consistently slow, the blockage may be further down the drain line and need professional cleaning.

Floor drains (sediment + debris)

Floor drains are designed to handle water but can collect dirt, lint, and sludge.

Best method:

• Remove the grate and clear debris.
• Pour a bucket of water into the drain to keep the trap filled (this helps prevent sewer odors).
• If water backs up around the drain, that’s a sign the drain line may need professional cleaning.

 

Other Drain Cleaning Tips That Actually Help

Here are practical habits that protect your plumbing system:

• Use strainers everywhere: Kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, showers—strain everything.
• Flush with hot water (not boiling): Many people use boiling water, but extremely hot water can stress certain plumbing materials and joints. Hot tap water is usually safer for routine flushing.
• Run water while using the disposal: And keep running it for 10–20 seconds after to help move particles through the line.
• Avoid flushing so-called “flushable” wipes: Many wipes labeled “flushable” still cause major sewer and drain issues. Toss these in the trash instead.
• Address slow drainage early: Early action is cheaper and easier than emergency calls.
  

 

What Not To Do (and What Not to Pour Down the Drain)

This is where a lot of clogs begin. Avoid expensive repairs by keeping the following out of your drains.

Kitchen drains

• Grease, fats, and oils (even if chased with hot water)
• Coffee grounds (they clump like wet sand)
• Eggshells, rice, pasta, flour (they expand and paste together)
• Fibrous foods like celery and onion skins (wrap around internal parts)

Bathroom drains

• Excess hair (use a catcher)
• Dental floss and cotton swabs
• Thick products (some clump inside drain pipes over time)

All drains

• Chemical drain cleaners
• Paint, solvents, and harsh chemicals

Chemical drain cleaners can generate heat and corrode or weaken certain drain pipes—especially in older homes and buildings. They can also harden some clogs into a tougher mass, making professional cleaning more difficult. On top of that, if the line is already partially blocked, those chemicals can sit in the pipe and create a hazard for anyone working on the plumbing system later.

 

When DIY Isn’t Enough: Signs You Should Call a Pro

Call for professional drain cleaning if you notice:

• The same drain clogs repeatedly
• Multiple drains are slow at the same time
• Gurgling sounds or sewer odors
• Water backing up into a tub, shower, or floor drain

Professional cleaning can include mechanical rodding, hydro jetting (where appropriate), or camera inspection to locate deeper problems. This is especially helpful in older Chicago-area properties where drain lines may be affected by buildup, scale, or shifting.

Need Drain Cleaning on the Northside of Chicago or Nearby Suburbs?

Madden Sewer & Drain has served Chicagoland since 1967. We’re fully licensed, insured, and bonded, and we provide drain cleaning and maintenance for homeowners, condo associations, landlords, and commercial properties across the northside of Chicago and nearby suburbs.

If you’re dealing with slow drainage or recurring clogs, schedule a free estimate today.