http://www.care2.com/greenliving/clearing-clogged-drains.html
Clearing Clogged Drains
My upstairs bathroom sink drain always needs attention: I think toothpaste is the culprit, but whatever, it always needs help.
You don’t need powerful industrial chemicals as the household cleaning industry would have you believe! Find out the surprisingly easy and non-toxic way I keep that drain open.
When our drains get clogged, we have been unwaveringly convinced that nothing short of the most powerful chemical arsenal will work. As a result, most of us resort to commercial drain cleaners that are some of the most
dangerous chemicals found in the home. Lye or acid, these products can harm health, the wastewater stream, and PVC pipes.
A gentle yet effective approach to coaxing free a clog from a drain is to use simple household ingredients instead of burning a hole through the clog with industrial lye or acid. There are even bacteria-based enzyme cleaners available in health food stores that eat the clog free from the pipe without harming everything else in which it comes into contact. And it is always worth it to try unclogging a drain first with an old-fashioned plunger; they very often do the trick. If all else fails, you might try an electric plumber’s snake, but it is recommended that to prevent injury, only professional plumbers should use this equipment.
Next: Clog-busting formulas
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103 comments
add your comment »interesting... corporations really have done the trick... i don't know of anyone who currently uses these tricks - even my rather green friends.. we all just assumed those nasty chemicals are needed - thank you for the enlightenment!!
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Excellent Tips!
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Thank you, I tried the baking soda with boiling water today. I'll see what the results are after I use the sink and shower! I'm always looking for less toxic ways to do things around the house and this could be a great one!
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Where do I find washing soda, I found a recipe for home made laundry detergent that I wanted to try that called for washing soda and the page indicated that it should be available on the laundry detergent aisle at the grocery store....I could not find it. If I have any northern Utah or southern Idaho neighbors that are members here, does anyone know of a retail chain in this region that carries it, or could someone at least give me a brand name so I know what I am looking for? Any help would be hugely appreciated!
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Thanks for the info.
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thanks for this!
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Yes good info...
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baking soda, vinigar and hot water work great, but I found tht lemonjuice was more powerful than vinigar, it also made the drain smell better!
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awesome! my bathroom needs a declogging :) thanks!
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THANK YOU, I USE VINEGAR ALOT AROUND MY HOME, AND BAKING SODA FOR A LOT CLEANING
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