"No," she said, pulling a box of baking soda and a jug of white vinegar from the pantry. "We need science. And we need to stop treating the sink like a trash can."

He ran the hot water.

"Move," she said.

A blocked kitchen sink is one of the most common household frustrations. Before you call a plumber, try these DIY methods. They are ordered from the simplest (no tools) to the most intensive.

Fill the sink with enough water to submerge the head of the plunger.