4 DIY Natural Drain Cleaners (Page 2)

Baking soda with lemon juice

Lemon juice (one cup) is a little more costly than cider vinegar, but it smells a lot better and works just as well as vinegar. You may want to use this mixture in your kitchen sink simply for the better smell. Again run plenty of hot water after the baking soda and lemon juice foam up for a few minutes.

Salt, borax, and vinegar

I found this formula, 1/4 C. salt, 1/4 C. Borax, and 1/2 C. vinegar, on Sage & Simple. I tried the mixture (followed by plenty of hot water) in my laundry sink and found that it took a while, but did clear the drain.

Boiling water

Most clogs develop due to various types of fats and oils that get cold in the pipe (think bacon grease) and solidify. Sometimes just using a kettle of boiling water will clear the clog. Boiling water can also be used with the above mixtures. However, take care to pour directly into the drain to avoid damaging plastics or cracking porcelain.

If none of these work

It would be irresponsible for us to publish this article without mentioning that sometimes snaking the drain is the only way to clear a clog. Drain cleaners are good for cleaning little bits of buildup from the drain. If you’ve got a big hairball lodged in there, they won’t do the trick. “Use a snake and solve the problem for good,” said Level One Contstruction Co. on Hometalk.com.

Related:
5 Green Ways to Unclog a Toilet
How Bad for Plumbing Are Disposable Wipes?
What Not to Put Down Your Drain
Image: Charles Thompson/stock.xchng

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

John S.

4:37AM PDT on Apr 6, 2013

There are enzyme drain cleaner's, hard to find, that are green alternatives (for those that wait too long). I prefer to fill the sink and pull the plug to let gravity work.

April 6
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Duane B.

8:12AM PST on Feb 8, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

February 8
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Suz F.

11:34AM PST on Jan 18, 2013

...thanks for tips--tried these last night--still clogged--will try again for i as well like to use "non-harming" alternatives...

January 18
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Tanya W.

5:53AM PST on Dec 24, 2012

Cheers.

December 24
send a green star

Joy W.

7:51AM PDT on Aug 10, 2012

Thank you.

August 10
send a green star

Laura R.

11:38AM PDT on Jul 8, 2012

"My washing machine drains via a plastic pipe into a laundry sink so fibers and lint build up in the drain."

If you tie or clamp a nylon stocking or leg from a pair of pantyhose on the end of the pipe, it will catch the lint and eliminate or, at least, significantly reduce the clogs. When it is full, simply replace it.