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Loading...Washing Soda to Unclog Drains
- Annie B. Bond
- March 25, 1999
- 11:57 am
- 131 comments
No lye, you can keep your drains from clogging a kinder and gentler way.
Washing soda is an excellent choice for helping drains stay clear because while it is alkaline—a pH of 11—it isn’t as caustic and damaging as the commonly used lye-based commercial product.
Ideally, use washing soda on your drains once a week to keep them clear. Just pour 1/4 cup or so down the drain, and then flush with water.
Washing soda is found in the laundry section of the supermarket. You can use baking soda instead by pouring 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by three cups of boiling water.
The boiling water will change the chemical composition of baking soda to become more alkaline like washing soda. If you already have a clog, try pouring 1 cup of washing soda (or baking soda) down the drain followed by three cups of boiling water. Repeat two or three times.
If you still have a clog, try pouring down 1 cup of vinegar. Being an acid, the vinegar will neutralize the washing soda or baking soda and there will be some foaming and gurgling, but sometimes this agitation is all that is needed in the end to dislodge the grime.
Read more: Home, Household Hints, Non-Toxic Cleaning
By Annie B. Bond
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).
Go to the Source
Better Basics for the Home
Natural living has reached the mainstream: we are now far more concerned about the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the chemicals that surround us, and recognize that government regulations all too often fall short of safeguarding our health. Enter Annie Berthold-Bond, whose Better Basics for the Home is a compendium of practical information -- recipes, tips, and guidelines -- for creating a simpler, cheaper and environmentally safer lifestyle.buy now
The Safe Shopper's Bible
Many items you buy every day contain ingredients that can cause allergic reactions, breathing difficulty, dizziness, cancer, birth defects, and other problems. Here is a comprehensive guide to answer your questions.buy now
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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How are these homemade? I don't see any instructions for me to make them. Homemade means I make them…
Thank you for sharing this
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ty
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131 comments
+ add your ownWill do !
Great tips, thanks for sharing.
Thanks
ty
Thanks
great idea! Thanks for sharing
Interesting and have never heard of Washing soda, will have to check for it next time I go grocery shopping! Thanks!
thats great, id rather use those ingredients than a chemical that pollutes the earth
Thank you
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