If you’re dealing with a clogged or slow draining sink or shower, you don’t have to resort to harsh chemicals to make things better.
Traditional drain cleaners are full of harsh chemicals, but not every clog requires such a powerful solution. If you’re looking for ways to unclog your sink, we asked cleaning and drain experts to share their cleaning tips on using and making DIY drain cleaners. So you can make a powerful drain cleaner in no time.
4 DIY Drain Cleaning Solutions According to Experts
1. Vinegar and baking soda
(Image credit: Fabian Martinez)
For mild blockages, all you need is vinegar (available on Amazon), baking soda, and boiling water. It’s effective, affordable, and easy to perform.
“Cleaning drains is one of those tasks that people forget about until they see the water not going down,” says Ken Doty, cleaning expert and COO of The Maze. say. “Luckily, there are many DIY ways to clean your drains using common household materials.
“Knowing how to properly clean drains can reduce the amount of buildup that causes odor and bacteria. The best ways to clean drains are baking soda, distilled white vinegar, lemon, and hot water. is to use.”
Doty shows you how to do it in six easy steps. Remember to remove the drain plug first.
Boil 2 quarts of water on the stove or in a kettle. Using oven mitts, slowly pour the boiling water down the drain. Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain. Rinse the sink and rinse thoroughly with boiling water from the sink. To further reduce odor, pour lemon juice or distilled white vinegar down the drain. After 30 minutes, rinse and drain the sink.
Some experts warn against using baking soda and vinegar repeatedly to unclog drains. This can cause problems with your plumbing over time, so if the problem keeps happening, call in a professional to address the underlying problem.
For more DIY inspiration, explore cleaning with vinegar and cleaning with baking soda in our dedicated features.
2. Salt and baking soda scrub
(Image credit: Roundhouse)
Another DIY drain cleaner solution is to clean with a combination of salt and baking soda. “If you want something more exciting, try mixing salt and baking soda,” says Daniel Brown, cleaning expert and CEO of Handy Cleaners. “It helps clear up stubborn blockages, especially after running hot water.”
All you need is 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of table salt, and 2 cups of boiling water, so it’s very affordable and probably doesn’t even require a trip to the store. Brown recommends Morton Salt Sea Salt, which you can buy at Walmart.
Brown explains how to use this mixture in four steps.
Mix the baking soda and salt until well mixed Pour into the sinkhole opening Leave for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and finally pour down the drain, rinse and remove any residue Masu
“Kitchen sinks tend to collect grease and food particles, so this is especially helpful when considering how to tilt the sink,” he says.
3. Hydrogen peroxide
(Image credit: Justin Cole Photography / House of Funk)
Hydrogen peroxide is often used for hair bleaching, but it’s also abundantly used for cleaning around the house.
It’s a great disinfectant that isn’t as harsh on your pipes as traditional drain cleaners, so it’s safe to use more often to keep your drains in top condition.
Simply pour a cup of hydrogen peroxide down the drain, wait at least 30 minutes, and rinse with boiling water. This trick works well when combined with baking soda mixed at a ratio of 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide.
We recommend using food-grade 3% hydrogen peroxide, available on Amazon, as it is food-safe and natural. Never use hydrogen peroxide at a concentration higher than 10%. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful, corrosive irritant that can cause irritation, irritation, or worse, especially if it comes into contact with your eyes.
4. Enzyme-based drain cleaners
(Image credit: Studio Duggan/MLH)
If you’re not interested in harsh chemicals, but need to clean your drains right away, or are dealing with a more stubborn clog, using an enzyme-based drain cleaner is a great option. This is an intermediate option.
“Enzyme-based drain cleaners are a much better option because they don’t damage the environment like their corrosive counterparts,” says Daniel Brown. “These natural bacteria and enzymes break down organic material in your drains.”
Daniel recommends using the popular Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver, available at Walmart, which is biodegradable and odorless. It’s also safe for all pipes and septic systems thanks to its powerful formula that doesn’t use bleach or sodium hydroxide.
FAQ
What do plumbers use to unclog drains?
If your bathroom or kitchen sink drain is so clogged that you need to call a professional, they’ll likely use hydrochloric acid to unclog it.
Usually it is poured directly into the drain in controlled amounts. It is important not to try this solution at home, as the plumber will monitor the reactions taking place in the pipes to avoid damage.
Once the blockage is cleared, flush the drain thoroughly and rinse with water to remove any residual acid.
What do plumbers recommend to keep drains clean?
The number one recommendation from plumbers to keep your drains clean is also the simplest: pour boiling water into your sink at least once a week.
This will help remove grease and dirt that can build up inside the pipes and cause blockages later on. Never pour liquids down the sink, especially when disposing of them.
“Whatever solution you use, avoid using harsh chemicals such as sulfuric acid or lye, which can damage pipes,” says Jeria Stone Landscape Construction Company with more than 30 years of experience. says Joe Gueria, a masonry and drainage expert with. , it’s about the number of DIY users who end up being charged 10 times more for plumbing than if they had hired a professional in the first place. For blockages that cannot be removed with mechanical or natural solutions, it is best to call a professional. ”
