22,428,409 members doing good!



Select names from your address book   |   Help
   

We hate spam. We do not sell or share the email addresses you provide.

Clearing Clogged Drains

  • 1 of 2
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

  • 1 of 2

Read more: Bed & Bath, Eco-friendly tips, Green, Home, Household Hints, Non-Toxic Cleaning,

have you shared this story yet?

go ahead, give it a little love

share story:

BONUS butterfly credits

Annie B. Bond

Annie is a renowned expert in non-toxic and green living. Named one of the top 20 environmental leaders by Body and Soul Magazine, Annie has authored four books, including "Home Enlightenment" (Rodale Press, 2005) and "Better Basics for the Home" (Three Rivers Press, 1999).

204 comments

+ add your own
1:36PM PDT on May 22, 2013

Sorry to say this did not work for me. The washing soda clogged up my drain even more than it was clogged before. Acted liike cement. Buying new pipes.

3:19AM PST on Feb 20, 2013

That's very wonderful and Ideal post for plumber. But I think it is very sharp

8:14AM PST on Feb 8, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

3:20AM PST on Jan 22, 2013

I found your website perfect for my needs. It contains wonderful and helpful posts. I have read most of them and learned a lot from them. You are doing some great work. Thank you for making such a nice website.


www.pumpcoseptic.com/timely-service

7:29AM PST on Jan 17, 2013

Last November my fiancé and I bought a home together. Our realtor told us that it was a fixer-upper, but we had no idea that the plumbing was so lousy. The realtor suggested that we call United Plumbing Solutions, we did and in three days everything was handled. What I liked the most was their desire to help us in every way. Check them out at www.ups-plumbing.com or call 772-905-4442.

5:32AM PST on Jan 16, 2013

Nice!

4:50PM PST on Jan 13, 2013

I have attached stoppers in my sink and bathtub. How do I use these suggestions without having to take the stoppers out?

8:39AM PST on Nov 15, 2012

We use urine to unclog drains in sink and bathtub. The acid in urine helps break down the clog. Try it if you don't believe me!

12:11PM PDT on Jul 23, 2012

Soda is awsome!

8:23PM PDT on Jul 22, 2012

These are really good. Thanks.

add your comment



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

people are talking

before I saw the receipt which said $5744, I didnt believe that...my... father in law was like they …

Good info. Thanks for sharing.

We need to educate the young about the importance of keeping the movement alive. A lot of parents a…

Time to go thru things again, thank you for sharing. :)

Story idea? Want to blog? Contact the editors!

customize your newsletter

This newsletter will be sent daily and will feature updates on all the causes you care about. Which causes would you like to include?

Copyright © 2013 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved