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Home Bathroom - Remove a Sink Stopper and Cleaning Stopper and Drain

Removing a bathroom sink stopper that is twist off or held by a plunger rod 1.

Try first to remove the stopper by hand with lifting and twisting. If that does not follow the next steps:

  • Clear up the bottom of the sink
  • Find the horizontal plunger rod (metal rod) with a metal clip holding the stopper in place
  • Remove the pivot nut attached to the sink drain. Before unscrewing, put a bowl underneath the pivot nut area to catch any water
  • Remove the nut and rod. Now remove the stopper
  • Clean:
    • Sink stopper
    • Pull, clean sink by hand or drain cleaning tools, be careful when putting cleaning objects down the drain
    • Run drain under warm/hot water
    • Use vinegar or detergent
    • Soak the stopper in a soap and water
    • Optional: use drain cleaning liquid
  • Reassemble the pieces again
  1. How to Remove a Sink Stopper - Home Depot