Tips for Cleaning Bathroom Drains Less Toxically
Human hair. Most of us have some and everyone that does loses some of it each and every day. Nature rotates dead hairs out and live ones in in its own cycle. When we wash our hair, we cause a good deal of additional hair to separate from our scalps and it is this hair that most frequently causes the clogging of our bath and shower drains. For those in the habit of brushing their hair while watching themselves in the mirror over the bathroom sink, human hair is also the most likely suspect when clogs occur there.
There are a couple of well-proven alternatives to highly caustic materials for clearing these drains and both are worth a try – as each costs a total of $2- or less.
A Viable (and Cheap) Non-Chemical Solution
The first strategy is a simple device made and marketed under various names. (The “Zip-It” by Cobra Products is one of the better known.) This device (or any one of dozens of other brands with similar design and function) is available for around $2. at any neighborhood hardware store. It is simply a plastic strip, 18″ long with a finger loop handle at one end and a tapered strip extending from it with pointed ‘teeth’ aiming upwards. The device is simply inserted into the clogged (or significantly slowed down) drain as far as it will go, twisted around a bit, and pulled back out. What comes out with it will likely surprise you the first time you try it. At least one very substantial human hair ball! The process is repeated two or three times, each time placing the device into the drain from different angles. The result is often a cleared and free flowing drain.
This type of device works equally well in bath, shower or sink drains in the bathroom. It is not as effective in the kitchen where congealed grease, rather than human hair, is apt to be the villain. Once a wad or two of hair is brought up, pouring a kettle of very hot water down the drain will usually rinse out the residuals that have been left in the pipes.
I used one of these after a gallon of thick, syrupy “Extra Heavy Duty Drain Cleaner” failed to open the drain in a shower adequately. I was first amazed to see how much hair I managed to bring out of the drain and them most pleasantly astounded to discover that the water was flowing quite freely down the drain again!
When Chemistry is Necessary
Where this simply mechanical tool does not do the trip, some chemical intervention may well be necessary. But, before running out to buy some version of chemical drain opener (lye or other profoundly caustic and dangerous substances,) go to your laundry area and bring in the bleach. At a usual price of from $1 to $2 per gallon, a quart or so of it poured directly into a clogged drain stands a high probability of clearing it. Again, as is with the case with the “Zip-It” type device, the procedure is best followed by the pouring of a quantity of very hot (stove heated) water down the drain.
Bleach, in and if itself, is a dangerous substance and is toxic, though clearly less caustic and dangerous to the touch as well as to the environment than are the powerful chemicals used in the proprietary liquid drain cleaners. Common household laundry bleach is an inexpensive and predictably available household item. It can do a lot more than whiten clothes (or remove colors by accident!) It can and does do a reliable job of clearing many drain slow downs and clogs.
So, there you have it. A simple plastic tool, some common laundry bleach and a kettle of hot water. One visit by a plumber with a “Rooter” will pay for these other supplies for the rest of your life. Give them a try – The results are likely to both surprise and delight you!
