http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10003.html
Clogged Drain
posted by Annie B. Bond Apr 9, 2007 12:00 am
Sam, TX asks:
Annie: What would you recommend for a clogged drain?
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.
Annie B.
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7 comments
add your comment »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.
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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.
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I used a combination of baking soda w/ hot water, some vinegar, and a plunger to clear a clog in the basement bathroom sink. I'm not sure if one or the other did the trick, but I told myself, 'might as well use everything available in the house.' Also do these products damage the pipes/drain?
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Yes, unfortunately the vinegar and baking soda doesn't work for me either. I've tried lots of hot water but still not great results. Other suggestions?
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I've used the solution also but it never worked for me. Do you have another solution other than a plumber.
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I pour white vinegar down my drains regularly as it kills bacteria and keeps mold and algae from growing which can cause blockage.
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The solution works. I have been using the Baking soda and vinegar route for a few years. I use it to prevent any clogups also. And it works every time.
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