The sole purpose of sinks at home is to keep items and you clean, but it is also essential to keep them clean. Sinks are the feeding areas for bacteria; that’s why you may see suspicious substances in your sink drain like the gross-looking white slime.

This white slime is a biofilm, a mixture of mucous-like substances and moisture-loving bacteria. Biofilm bacteria contains cells that have properties helping micro-organisms to stick to your sink drains, plumbing pipes, among other surfaces.

Getting rid of white slime is mandatory to stay healthy and hygienic. Therefore, let’s explore the causes and solutions to this problem.

What Causes White Slime In Sink Drain?

The white slime in your sink drain comprises mostly bacteria, with a tiny percentage being fungi. The gunk grows in areas with bacteria colonies, safeguarding it while it grows.

Bacteria thrive in areas like sink drains because they favor damp, dark environments. In addition, dirt and dust provide food for these micro-organisms, helping them to thrive.

A biofilm only needs one micro-organism to stay long enough on a surface to attach to it and begin reproducing. The environment needs to be wet such as plumbing pipes, sink drains, and shower drains.

The bacteria will keep growing until they become a colony if you don’t do something about it. Luckily, you won’t have to deal with it everywhere because they only grow in moist areas.

How Dangerous Is White Slime in Sink Drain?

The white slime in your sink drain has micro-organisms like bacteria that can harm your health. Therefore, please get rid of it the moment you notice it and don’t forget to clean your hands afterward.

Moreover, this substance shouldn’t come into contact with your mouth, eyes, and face. It’s important to note that the white slime could be carrying pathogens like salmonella and E. coli.

Besides health concerns, white slime can cause clogs in your sink drain, compromising the effectiveness of your sink.

How To Prevent White Slime From Your Sink Drain

If you want to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy and avoid seeing that disgusting white slime on your sink drain, find ways to prevent it. For that reason, here are some practical strategies you can employ.

1. Quality Plumbing

White slime loves hard-to-reach, moist areas that favor waste accumulation in crannies and nooks. Therefore, the design of your plumbing system plays a critical role in keeping your sink in good condition without bacteria accumulation.

You are better off investing in a simple plumbing system that facilitates a straightforward flow of wastes and water from the sink to the sewer. In addition, pay attention to the construction quality, which means hiring a professional plumber with an excellent track record.

2. Prevent Clogging

A clogged sink drain provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. While clogs are common and something you’ll deal with occasionally, it’s essential to unclog your drains soonest to prevent bacteria from accumulating.

How To Remove White Slime From Your Sink Drain

White slime removal follows straightforward steps using simple supplies you can easily source from your home. Here’s a breakdown of the whole process.

Use a screwdriver to remove the screw (s) found on the cover of the strain. Once it is off, take out the strain cover, put it aside together with the screw then inspect the drain pipe.

Mix a gallon of water with dish soap (powder or liquid) in a cleaning bucket and mix to form a soapy solution.
Insert a bottle brush with a large diameter into the solution, then use it to the scrub strain cover’s underside.
Scrub the vertical drain pipe’s sides with the soapy solution and bottle brush after extending it into the pipe.

Pour clean water in a bucket, then use it to rinse the drain, getting rid of the remaining white slime and soap.
Pour baking soda (1/2 a cup) inside the drain, followed by white vinegar (1/2 a cup), and let it rest for about 15 minutes. The acidic reaction formed from this action will dissolve any remaining debris.
Pour lemon juice (1 cup) into the drain to eliminate and neutralize the remaining odors.

Place the strainer on the drain pipe and screw it back into place.

Other Slimes You Should Know About

Besides white slime, you should also beware of other slimes to help you catch and deal with them early. They are:

Pink Slime

Serratia marcescens causes pink slime, and it flourishes on fatty substances, like skin soaps and human waste. The bacteria travel through air, not water

If you see pink slime in your sink, spray it with a solution of water and white vinegar and leave it for 10 minutes before scrubbing the area. Make sure you put on gloves to protect your hands.

Black Slime

This slime is a mixture of hygienic products like lotion and soap film together with phlegm. Remove it by letting baking soda (1 cup) sit in the drain for approximately 3-5 minutes to soak up the slime and eliminate offensive odors.

Orange Slime

This slime isn’t mold or bacteria, but rather iron and soap scum mixed with water. You can remove orange slime using a mixture of juice and water or rubbing alcohol, scrubbing if necessary.

For a tough stain, make lemon juice using water and half a lemon, pour it into a bottle spray, and spray the mixture over the orange stain. Leave it to soak in for 10-15 minutes and repeat the process if all the stains don’t wash off the first time.

Yellow Slime

molds like Serpula lacrymans, Meruliporia incrassate, and Aspergillus create yellow slime. It forms around faucets, under sinks, and on shower walls and curtains.

While they generally aren’t dangerous, they can harm kids, pets, and people with chronic medical conditions or weak immune systems.

Use a mold removal product designed for households to remove yellow slime. However, have an expert plumber inspect for clogs and leaks if the mold grows back.

FAQ on White Slime in Sink Drain

1. How Do I Get Rid Of Slime In My Sink Drain?

You can remove slime from your sink drain by pouring a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda into the drain, then wait for 10 minutes before pouring lemon juice down the drain to eliminate odors.

2. Why Is There Slime In My Sink Drain?

Slime forms in sink drain because of the buildup of bacteria that thrive in moist or wet conditions. Your waste provides food helping them grow, so you should regularly clean your sinks and drains.

Conclusion

We can all agree that white slime is offputting; hence knowing how to prevent its growth and remove it is of utmost importance. Regular maintenance of your sink drains and other fixtures will ensure everything works efficiently and keep white slime at bay.