When you have a clogged up kitchen sink, your first impulse may be to buy and use a high-powered chemical drain cleaner. However, if you have a septic tank, using this method can be detrimental to the system, as the harsh chemicals will upset the delicate ecosystem inside. Instead of using a drain cleaner, try using one or both tips below to safely unclog your kitchen sink's drain.

1.  Pour in a Mixture of Baking Soda and Vinegar

One method you can use to unclog your kitchen sink that will not damage your septic system is pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain. Especially in the small amounts that you will be using, neither the baking soda or vinegar will have an impact on the colony of bacteria that is vital to the system.

However, the chemical reaction between the two ingredients may help break up the drain. As the ingredients interact, they create a fizz under high pressure that may break up the clog and help push it out.

To use this tip, first, pour about a half of a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Stand back a little bit, as the fizz may squirt out of the drain and spray you in the face. Allow the mixture to work for about a half an hour, and run tap water for about a minute. Or, use the tips discussed in the next section.

2.  Dump Hot Boiling Water Down the Drain

Another way you may be able to loosen up the clog is dumping hot boiling water down the drain. The intense heat and steam may be able to break up the clog and help it slide down the pipe. While this method sometimes works on its own, using it after the baking soda and vinegar may work better.

Bring a couple of cups of water to a boil, then carefully pour it down your sink's drain in one fluid motion. Place the stopper in the sink to catch the steam, and let it work for a few minutes.

After trying the above tips, you may still find that your kitchen sink is clogged up by something that refuses to budge. If so, contact a septic company that offers drain cleaning services to have them look at your drain and offer suggestions for safely getting rid of the clog without damaging your septic system.