Clearing Clogged Drains

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.

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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.

Roxanne T.

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.

May 22
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John S.

3:19AM PST on Feb 20, 2013

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

February 20
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Duane B.

8:14AM PST on Feb 8, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

February 8
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Sofina C.

3:20AM PST on Jan 22, 2013

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January 22
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Henry M.

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.