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Chemical Free Drains
It’s so easy to pour something down the drain and watch it disappear along with your problem, but the problem doesn’t really disappear. The problem is made worse by the pollution caused by the caustic chemicals in drain cleaners. Most drain cleaners are poisonous to us all, as well as the environment. So what are your options? Actually, there are several ways to clear a clogged drain.
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to move a clog is to use a plunger to try to move the clog out of the way with pressure. If you have previously used chemicals in the drain to remove the clog, make sure you use rubber gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself.
Following the plunger method, you could try plain, boiling hot water. Plug off the overflow holes and start pouring boiling water slowly down the drain. Leave the water in the sink for at least a half hour. The clog may dissipate on its own.
If you haven’t used a commercial drain cleaning product recently, you might consider using this solution. All of these items would commonly be found in your kitchen.
Pour one-half cup of baking soda into your drain. Carefully pour one-half cup of vinegar over the baking soda and cover the drain, if at all possible. At this point, the two will begin bubbling just like a child’s volcano experiment for school. After a few minutes the bubbling should stop.
Pour at least a half gallon of boiling water over what’s left of the baking soda and vinegar. Then follow that with hot running water to flush it all down the drain. This process may have to be used more than once to clear the stubborn clog.
If after you’ve tried the vinegar and baking soda and the clog is still there, you have other options besides chemicals. Do you have a snake? This is a 25-50 foot metal wire with a bulb at the end. You push the snake into the drain. When it hits the blockage, you just keep twisting until the drain runs free.
So you’ve tried a plunger, vinegar and baking soda, boiling water, and a snake. What happens if your drain is still clogged? Of course you can always call a plumber, but at least try these methods before pouring a drain cleaner down the drain. If none of these methods work, you probably have a more serious problem than a simple clog anyway.
Anyone else have feelings about this?
- 16 Comments
- Tags: clogged drain, drain, drano, unclogged drain
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These are awesome tips I never thought about. It always seemed easy to use chemicals but there was the environment problem later on. Great article
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ReplyI had a mess caused by drain cleaner RIGHT before Christmas. Our bathroom sink was clogged, so I decided to do the “quick fix” and pour drain cleaner down the drain on xmas eve, the night before my whole family was coming over to celebrate the holidays. Not a good idea. The drain never cleared, AND the whole upstairs basically had to be quarantined from the guests due to severe fumes. Luckily we have another bathroom downstairs for guests to use. We eventually had to use a snake to clean it.
I now pour hot water, vinegar, and baking soda down the drain every few months to prevent this from happening again.
ReplyI think a lot of people use the chemical as an “easy” way out. Most of the time a little bit of elbow greese and a plunger can do the trick. I have done the boiling water before but not the baking soda and water combo. All these are great alternatives to the cost of hiring a plumber.
ReplyThese tips are so easy and convenient because you can find things like vinegar and baking soda in the kitchen and you don’t need to call for help.
ReplyI think I would just go the easy way on this one: I would call my plumber. Usually this kind of problem is beyond me because they take time and I really don’t have the time to fix it. Clogged drains are always a “joy” for me…
ReplyI’m always havig a problem with our pipes for they always someting blocking the flow of water, it is good to hear that you canuse several chemicla sto make the cleaning faster
ReplySome great tips there, clogged drains are a real pain and if left can go really stagnant. It is a problem that should be dealt with as soon as it occurs.
ReplyBoiling water always has a nice knack of doing the job alongside an old fashioned plunger. very rarely do I need to use a bottled cleaner.
Replygreat toilet tips, never knew them so i guess i learn something new. i always used plynger to unclog my toilet, now i have other ways, thanks
ReplyThe baking soda worked on my toilet great! it did wonders! I also put salt down the loo too. Thanks for such a great article. I was searching trying to find some advise as my toilet was clogged! The first job that I did was to try to stop the water from flowing to prevent a possible overflow and then trying to find a decent plunger after using your tip of putting the baking soda down the toilet. Thanks so much xx
ReplyDreams´s last blog ..Top Ten Common Dreams
Hey thanks for the great article. In my line of work finding new ways to solve problems is always a plus. I never would have thought about the boiling water method to unclog a drain. Thanks again.
ReplyDavid@ Castle Rock House Cleaning´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at
You’ve posted some very good ideas on unclogging the drain. I was not aware of the baking soda trick. I will keep that in mind the next time I a sink clogs up.
ReplyChris@Bathroom Wall Cabinets´s last blog ..Best Bathroom Wall Cabinets for Home Improvement
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Taking off the “U” tube under the sink is quite an easy task and solves most of the clogging problems. if the clog goes beyond that, then a snake unclogger will do.
ReplyOh my goodness! the baking soda and hot water flush absolutely works. I am amazed. Thanks for the tips.
ReplyI use pressure cleaning to move blockages
ReplyThank you very much for sharing these great tips. I hope they help with kitchen sinks as well. I love it when everything in my kitchen runs well and is clean.
Replyjim@Kitchen Appliances´s last blog ..Hotpoint EW84K Electric Cooker