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Clearing Clogged Drains

posted by Annie B. Bond Jun 12, 1999 1:52 am
Clearing Clogged Drains
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By Annie B. Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers, 1999).

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.

Baking Soda Drain Cleaner
If water hasn’t yet backed up in your drain, pour 1 cup of
baking soda followed by 3 cups of boiling water. The boiling
water will change the chemical composition of baking soda, making it more alkaline. Repeat a few times until the drain is clear.

Washing Soda Drain Cleaner
If the water isn’t going down the drain, pour a cup of washing soda
over the drain area and let it set for a while to work its way down to the clog. Once the clog is loosened, use the baking soda method, above. Washing soda is more alkaline than baking soda, with a pH of 11. You never want to use washing soda if a commercial acid drain cleaner has recently been used in the drain, as they will strongly react with each other. You also shouldn’t overuse washing soda if you have PVC pipes, as the caustic nature of washing soda can slowly damage the plastic.

The Bubbling Method Using Vinegar and Baking Soda
Baking soda and vinegar react with each other to cause bubbles and
fizzing. Sometimes the fizzing can unlodge clogs. Follow the baking soda and boiling water formula, above, with 1 cup of vinegar.

Enzyme Drain and Garbage Disposal Maintenance
All natural living enzyme culture drain cleaners will actually eat and break down any organic matter. Using enzyme drain cleaners once a month, such as Bi-O-Kleen’s Bacout, will help not just your drains, but your septic system. They will also significantly reduce odor from garbage disposals. Colonies of enzymes will actually continue to grow and break down organic matter in your drains .

Washing Soda Maintenance
Enzymes don’t work as well on hair clogs, so to keep drains clear that tend to collect hair, such as in the shower and bath. A few times a month pour 1 cup of washing soda followed by a thorough flushing of water.
More on Non-Toxic Cleaning (113 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3187 articles available)

26 comments
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26 comments

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26 Comments       add a comment »
Kristen S.

Danahy S., I just found Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda at the Fred Meyer on W Burnside at 20th.

Erica Slomka

Just tried the baking soda/boiling water on my kitchen drain-WOW!!!!! We have constant problems because of the plumbing arrangement even with using a drain screen. And with a septic tank I hate using chemicals-not to mention trying so hard to GO GREEN!!! Thanks for this advice.

Mrs Jack McMullen

Keep a crochet hook on bathtub edge, you can get gobs of hair out of the drain with little effort & no solutions.

Mrs Jack McMullen

for clogged toilets, pour about 1 cup of liquid dish detergent; works wonders in a couple of hours.

Ann Frank

I love your pages, but why can't you give an option to print them without all the colored ads around them???????
Ann Frank

debby k.

washing soda should be found inthe laundry section, near the 20 mule team borax

debby k.

washing soda should be found inthe laundry section, near the 20 mule team borax

L Schoonover

Washing soda is sodium carbonate aka soda ash. Arm & Hammer has a product called Super Washing Soda. Supposedly sodium carbonate is also sold in bulk as a pool chemical.

Susan Garnett

I live in Mexico and wouldn't even know how to ask for washing soda. Does anyone know what a comparable item would be or what the translation is? I've never seen it here in the supermarkets. Thanks!

Diane Jones

a plumber told me to use 1 Qt of vinegar followed by hot water to clear drains and roots of trees that might start to come into pipes. Once a week.

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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