Here is where most people fail. You must immediately cover the drain opening with a stopper or a damp cloth. Why? Because those fizzy bubbles want to escape upward. By sealing them in, you force the reaction downward , deep into the pipe where the real trouble lives. Let it rage for 5–10 minutes (or 30 minutes for a truly stubborn stench).

By following these steps, you'll be able to clean your sink drain with baking soda and keep it fresh and flowing freely. Happy cleaning!