Clogged drains are annoying, but there are some simple fixes if the clog isn’t too bad. Check out these recipes for unclogging your drains.
Clogged drains are annoying, but there are some simple fixes if the clog isn’t too bad. Check out these recipes for unclogging your drains.Keeping your drains clean and clear is an essential part of being a homeowner.
Unfortunately, Americans spend between $90 and $300 repairing damaged and clogged drains.
The signs are obvious when a drain is clogged. Water lingers in the sink or shower, foul smells emerge, and drain flies appear. But many people put off dealing with clogged drains simply because they don’t know how simple it is to create a homemade drain cleaner.
Although sometimes it is necessary to bring in a professional drain cleaning service, let’s first explore how to unclog a drain using tools found around your house.
Use Baking Soda as a Homemade Drain Cleaner
Is there anything baking soda can’t do? From eliminating mold to removing stains, baking soda is a household staple that works wonders. It’s also the best household cleaning agent when it comes to unclogging drains.
Clogs commonly form from fat, oil, hair, soap, and grease buildup. Baking soda is a mineral compound. It contains alkaline powder that dissolves organic materials that get lodged in household drains.
Its slight acidity is enough to disintegrate buildup without corroding your pipes.
Chemical cleaners, on the other hand, are not as kind to your drains. They dislodge clogs but contain compounds that wear down and weaken your pipes. Plus, the chemicals can cause skin irritations and stain clothing.
You can create a homemade drain cleaner by combining baking soda with lemon, vinegar, or salt.
Baking Soda & Lemon
Combining baking soda with lemon is ideal for clogged kitchen drains. Not only will this homemade remedy dissolve buildup, but it also leaves behind a light lemon aroma.
For this concoction, you will need:
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 1/2 cup of lemon juice
- 1 pot of boiling water
Pour the baking soda down your clogged drain, followed by the lemon juice. Plug the drain and let the mixture sit in your pipes for one hour. Finish by pouring down the pot of boiling water.
Try to use fresh lemon juice if possible. Store-bought juice may contain added sugars or preservatives that can linger in your pipes.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
If baking soda is your go-to cleaning agent, distilled vinegar should be the runner up. Distilled white vinegar is a non-toxic drain cleaner. It dissolves hard deposits, kills harmful bacteria (which cause disease outbreaks), and cuts through grime like it’s nobody’s business.
To create a baking soda and vinegar at-home drain cleaner, you will need:
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar
- 1 pot of boiling water
Pour the baking soda and vinegar down your clogged drain. Plug and let the mixture sit for one hour (or more for large clogs).
When you add the vinegar, you may notice bubbling in the pipes. This is normal, so don’t be alarmed! The two chemicals react to create carbon dioxide that fizzes and sizzles. The reaction confirms that your concoction is working.
Once the hour is up, unplug your drain. Slowly pour the boiling water down the pipes. The mixture may smell (it is vinegar, after all), but the hot water should flush away any lingering odors.
Baking Soda & Salt
If you’re out of vinegar and lemons, use salt as a household drain cleaner.
For this at-home unclogging remedy, you need:
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 1/2 cup of salt (preferably Morton Salt)
- 1 pot of boiling water
Pour the salt and baking soda down the drain. Let the ingredients sit for 30 minutes. If the clog is large, leave the mixture overnight.
When ready, pour the pot of boiling water slowly down the drain.
If the salt and baking soda were not enough to eliminate your clogs, try adding cream of tartar. While the salt and baking soda break up buildup along your pipes, the cream of tartar cleans the metal from lingering residue.
In a mason jar (or any jar that can seal shut), combine the baking soda and salt with two tablespoons of cream of tartar. Close the jar and shake.
Pour half of the jar down the drain, and save the rest. Pour the pot of boiling water into the clogged pipes and let it sit for one hour. When time is up, run tap water down the drain to dissolve any remaining grime.
Homemade Drain Cleaner: The Coat Hanger Option
If creating a mixture isn’t your style, you can create a reliable drain cleaner using an old hanger.
Grab a wire coat hanger from your closet, and make sure to select one that you won’t miss. Straighten the hanger, but leave the hook.
Next, grab a plastic bag or trash bin and keep it nearby. You’ll want to be able to easily throw away whatever is clogging your drain. You may also want to wear rubber gloves.
Fish the hook end of the hanger into your drain. When you feel resistance, pull the hanger up. Use the hanger’s point to dislodge any big clogs and clear out passageways. Discard any hair or grime that comes out of the drain.
Once you have removed as much debris as possible, run hot water down your pipes for ten to fifteen minutes. That water will clean the drain and flush away any lingering residue.
Homemade Drain Cleaner: Break Out the Plunger
If all else fails, your plunger can unclog the bathroom or kitchen sink.
Fill the sink halfway with warm tap water. Stick the plunger in the drain (preferably a rubber plunger) and unclog as you would a toilet. A few motions should do the trick unless the clog is located too far down the drain.
Skip the Home Remedies & Call the Experts
Your local drain cleaning experts at Eyman Plumbing Heating & Air know how to unclog drains and clean pipes safely. We understand the inconvenience clogged drains cause, so we dislodge buildup quickly and efficiently.
Are you struggling with clogged drains? Call Eyman at (402) 731-2727 to learn more about our drain cleaning services.