Homemade Drain Cleaner

Slow drains are a common problem, and even if you don’t pour grease and other drain-clogging substances into your sinks, they can eventually become slow or completely clogged. Don’t wait for your pipes to become lined with grease and grime before considering homemade drain cleaning products. Take precautions to keep your drains open and you won’t have to deal with slow pipes and clogs.

If you’d rather not pour chemical cleaners into your drains to keep them open and free from clogs, consider the following homemade drain cleaners. These homemade cleaners are cheap and effective ways to keep your drains clean, clear, and running smooth.

Before Using Homemade Drain Cleaners

If your pipes are seriously clogged, or if you have a septic system, you should seek professional advice and assistance. If you have a septic system, slow drains could indicate a more serious problem that homemade cleaners cannot remedy.

Clog Prevention

Preventing drains from becoming lined with grease, food, grime, and gunk, by cleaning them on a regular basis. Professional plumbers have recommended pouring approximately one cup of dishwashing liquid that contains degreaser into the sink, and following it up with a pan of very hot water. Dishwashing liquid that contains degreaser is made to break up grease and food particles, and when it’s combined with hot water it breaks up and melts away grease and other grime. Follow this method of clog prevention every couple of weeks, and slow or clogged drains will be a thing of the past.

The Power of a Small Plunger

A plunger is sometimes necessary when trying to clear a clog, but no one wants to use an old toilet plunger in a kitchen or bathroom sink. A small sink plunger is a wonderful tool to have on hand. You never know when a sink will become clogged with hair or other grime, and with a small plunger you’ll be armed and ready. Invest in a small sink plunger. A small sink plunger is cheaper than store-bought drain cleaners, it can be reused, and a small sink plunger can be implemented along with the following homemade drain cleaners.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Try pouring about a half of a box of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar into the drain, and allow it to remain in there until it stops foaming. The foaming action of the vinegar and baking soda will work to loosen and break up grease, grime, and gunk. After the mixture stops foaming, follow up with a pan of very hot water. Repeat this process if necessary, and use this mixture periodically to prevent future build-ups.

Salt and Boiling Water

Salt is abrasive, and salt is a very effective cleaner. Try pouring a cup of salt into slow drains, and follow up with a pan of boiling water. Allow the boiling water and salt to sit in the pipes before rinsing it away. Repeat the process if necessary, and your slow drains should flow free and clear.

Powdered Detergent, Baking Soda, and Vinegar

A number of people have found baking soda, vinegar, and powdered laundry detergent very effective at cleaning and clearing clogged or slow drains. Simply mix a half cup of baking soda with a half cup of powdered laundry detergent. Pour this mixture into slow drains, and slowly add a cup of white vinegar. The enzymes in the laundry detergent along with the foaming action created by the vinegar and baking soda will effectively clean drains. Allow the mixture to foam and clean for several minutes, and rinse it down with very hot water.