http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10003.html
Natural Way to Clear a Clogged Drain
posted by Annie B. Bond Apr 9, 2007 12:00 am
Sam, TX asks:
What would you recommend for a clogged drain?
Annie:
Washing soda is an excellent choice for helping drains stay clear because
while it is alkaline—a pH of 11—it isn’t as caustic and damaging as the
commonly used lye-based commercial product. Ideally, use washing soda on your
drains once a week to keep them clear. Just pour 1/4 cup or so down the
drain, and then flush with water. Washing soda is found in the laundry
section of the supermarket. You can use baking soda instead by pouring 1 cup
of baking soda down the drain, followed by three cups of boiling water. The
boiling water will change the chemical composition of baking soda to become
more alkaline like washing soda. If you already have a clog, try pouring 1
cup of washing soda (or baking soda) down the drain followed by three cups of
boiling water. Repeat two or three times. If you still have a clog, try
pouring down 1 cup of vinegar. Being an acid, the vinegar will neutralize the
washing soda or baking soda and there will be some foaming and gurgling, but
sometimes this agitation is all that is needed in the end to dislodge the
grime.
related stories
-
(13 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
15 comments
add your comment »I like your article, and the suggestion to "split up" the applications.....rather than dumping down the baking soda, the vinegar, and the water all in at once....
My problem is, I put the baking soda down the drain, don't see any cool reaction, and don't think it's working ;) LOL.
BUT, this sounds a lot better, by pouring down the baking soda (or washing soda) - tossing in some boiling water (a tea kettles worth or so should work). THEN if it don't work, then add in the cup or so of vinegar to break down the rest.
Sounds like it would work even "better" since the whole baking soda and vinegar reaction would be happening in a very tight location (like, within the pipes) rather than, foaming up my whole bath tub or drain ;)
But, on the other hand, I've seen some neat videos online regarding the use of dishwashing soap (like Dawn, Joy, etc...for hand washing dishes), a plunger, and boiling water. Supposidely the soap can "get around" the clog...which kinda makes sense....especially if you got a clog in a kitchen sink due to grease (or greasy....) substance built up over time...
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I use baking soda, vinegar and hot water to clear out the bathroom sink drain. A few times the sink was so bad after using the above method, I used a small mouth plunger and you can't believe what crap came out those little holes at the top of the sink! My sink is happy once again
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I use baking soda, vinegar and hot water to clear out the bathroom sink drain. A few times the sink was so bad after using the above method, I used a small mouth plunger and you can't believe what crap came out those little holes at the top of the sink! My sink is happy once again
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I read Alka - Seltzer put down the drain in small pieces is a good thing to use. Tried it and it works, but is it earth friendly ?
Shirley Hudleson
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I use a can of coke periodically in my drains. My sister-in-law told me about this method. Open a can of coke and pour it down the drain, it seems to work for me. She recommended doing it once a week.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Every morning, after making fresh coffee, I wash my coffee pot and filter in the kitchen sink, forcing all the ground coffee grains down the drain. I started doing this years ago after I was told that it was a wonderful way of preventing clogged drains. It is also friendly for the environment.
Occasionally I throw the ground coffee grains down the bathroom sink or bath drain as it helps get rid of trapped hairs etc. I have never had problems with blocked drains since.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Just one minor picky little thing: I think you'd be wanting to CLEAR clogged drains, not UNCLEAR them.
I've used baking soda, vinegar & hot water, with moderate results - need to get more consistent with it - but I will try washing soda. Good idea for my laundry, too, especially towels that get rather funky...
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I decided to do all my drains at once.It worked so well it caused a main clog which took a plumber& a roto-rotor to unclog.He said it was all hair.I will only do one sink at a time now.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Try the Zip It device, available in the plumbing dept. of most hardware stores and big box stores. It's made by the Cobra Co. I use this wherever I'm cleaning a bathroom sink and it's slow draining. To use, slide the zip it down the drain, past the pop-up assemble, wiggle, pull back up. Have a bucket of warm sudsy water ready. What comes up is nasty and shouldn't be dragged through the house. I dump the bucket's water outside, under a bush, and cover the debris with some leaves or dirt if there's a lot. It costs around $3. It makes a good stocking stuffer, and also a good addition to green cleaning kits that you might make to give away as a gift or sell.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I take my comment back. =( While I thought it was unclogged it only remained so for only a few days... I wonder if this "clog" was just unlodged and went deeper or something else happened. 3rd attempt, here it comes.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: