We know that having a clogged drain in the sink, toilet, shower or whatever it may be can be a pain. It always starts out slow until one day it’s so bad you can’t even brush your teeth without the sink being full of water by the time you’re done, not to mention trying to bear that nasty smell that drains can give off sometimes. This article is going to teach you how to unclog a sink or any type of drain the natural way.
As we all know, there are lots of commercial drains cleaners out there that help with these problems, but those cleaners usually contain a ton of chemicals that aren’t very safe for young kids and pets and can also be harmful to our environment. In addition to that, they don’t necessarily always fix the actual problem.
There are a few options you can start with to naturally unclog your drain, and one is by creating your own drain cleaner and deodorizer. This really can be just as effective as commercial cleaners for small clogs.
There are a few recipes for this:
Baking soda and vinegar
Put 3/4 of a cup of baking soda into the clogged drain (it is better to lift up the trap to get better access), and then 1/2 of a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for half an hour and pour hot or boiling water down the drain for about 3 minutes to flush it out. This may need to be done several times depending on the size of the clog. This is a good thing to do on a monthly basis to ensure that your drains stay clean and clear.
Salt, borax, vinegar
Another recipe is made by using salt, borax and vinegar with a ratio of 1:1:2, and by following the same steps as stated above.
Enzyme drain cleaners
Enzyme drain cleaners are used to eat away at any buildup in your drain including biofilms, which is the buildup of bacteria that creates a slimy film within the pipe. Enzyme cleaners can be found at natural food stores or grocery stores. Be sure to check any local places in your area.
If these methods don’t work then it is best to get access to the U-bend of the drain (where most clogs are situated), which is actually quite easy to take apart. Put a bucket underneath the U-bend and loosen the rings that hold it together, gently pulling it loose. The bucket is good to have for any water that will come out once you pull it apart, plus you can run some water through it to clean out any loose debris that might be hanging around.
The snake
If all else fails, the next option is the infamous snake. This is that large flexible device used to catch and pull out hair and debris. They can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement store.
Finally, if you’ve tried these steps to no avail, it is best to call in a plumber to do the job for you. If you’re drain is old, a plumber can also assess them and tell you if you need an upgrade. If you’ve had drainage problems for a long time, you may want to talk to someone to make sure that there are no leaks or potential mold damage.
The best thing you can do to keep your drains clear and stay away from any problems is by using the steps above on a monthly basis and make sure no thick materials make their way into them (i.e. toilet paper in the sink or shower, or paper towel in the toilet). This will be sure to keep your drains flowing and make them last longer over time!
How To Unclog A Sink Or Drain Naturally
