We know how drain clogs can be a huge pain! But you can try removing them at home without spending much money.
Today, some chemicals help with drain cleaning, but they can be expensive and may not fit your budget. Plus, they can be full of toxic chemicals that can cause more serious plumbing issues. Hence, you will be happy to know that you can opt for homemade remedies to clear a drain.
The following are eight natural methods for removing drain clogs; you can find most of these ingredients at home or online.
So, let’s get started with making our natural drain cleaner!
8 Natural Ways To Remove Drain Clogs
1. Plunger
You should know that a plunger can do much more than unclogging the toilet because it can dislodge waste and unblock a sink. So, if your sink is blocked and has stopped working, you can remove the drain cover and fill it with water.
Place the mouth of the plunger right above the top of the drain hole and exercise the same motion you would use to unclog toilets. This can create a pressure difference on the two sides of the drain hole and dislodge whatever is stuck in the pipe. It will then be carried away by the water flowing from the sink.
2. Using Boiling Water
One of the most effective ways to remove a clog is boiling water. All you need to do is pour boiling water down your kitchen or bathroom sink drain. The hot water will melt the lodged particle and can remove the clog immediately. However, do not use hot water if you have PVC pipes, as the pipes may get damaged. If you are worried about boiling water, consider using hot tap water instead.
3. Dish Soap And Boiling Water
Liquid dish washing soap is another great natural drain cleaner for blocked drains. You can mix dish soap and boiling water to help break down grease. To do this, take a 2-litre container of boiling water and mix five tablespoons of dishwashing liquid before pouring it over the drain sink.
4. Coca-Cola
You read that right; Coca-Cola can do wonders to clear clogs. It is corrosive, which makes it unhealthy for the body, but it helps clean drains, or you can use any other soft drink for this purpose. Soft drinks are less harmful and contain fewer chemicals than drain cleaners, which makes them safer for clearing blockages.
Make sure you do not use diet coke, as it will not be strong enough. To ensure it works, pour the fizzy drink down the clogged drain and leave it for a few hours. It should start melting the clog, which will eventually dislodge. Then, pour hot water down the drain pipe to clean it.
5. Coat Hanger
If boiling water and a plunger do not work, use a wire hanger. Straighten the coat hanger except for the hook portion while keeping a dustbin bag handy to dispose of any waste you take out.
You can insert the hook into the pipe hole and look for the clog. Once you find it, take out the clog with the help of the hook.
6. Salt And Baking Soda
Mix half a cup of baking soda and salt in one dish before pouring the mixture into the drain and leave it to rest for half an hour at least. For the best results, you should leave it for around 8 hours before pouring boiling water down the drain.
7. Vinegar And Baking Soda
Another way to free a clogged sink is by mixing vinegar and baking soda. Using baking soda and vinegar to clear clogged drains is one of the oldest remedies, but it still works!
You can pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain and wait a few minutes. Then pour a cup of vinegar and a cup of boiling water before covering the drain plug and letting it rest for the next few minutes.
After that, pour hot water to clear the drain, and the clog should disappear.
8. Borax, Vinegar, And Salt
If none of the other methods works, you can use salt, vinegar and baking soda to unclog the drain. To do this, take ¼ cup of Borax, ¼ cup of salt, half a cup of vinegar, and a container of boiling water.
Mix all the ingredients and let the solution rest for an hour. Then pour it down the drain and finish with hot water at the end to remove the debris from the pipelines.
Clog-Free Drains On A Budget: Making Your Natural Drain Cleaner
That brings us to the end of our guide. Grease clogs in a slow draining kitchen sink or soap scum in your bathroom sinks can be a nightmare for anyone. So, what can you do if you want to avoid harsh chemicals?
If you have never used a plunger, it is best to get help because the job can otherwise be messy. Use a grease trap for kitchen drains to trap all foreign particles to ensure nothing enters the drain. And, if needed, keep pouring hot water once a week down the drain to melt grease or small particles away. You could also consider using a drain snake or a wire hanging to keep your drains free from any obstructions, such as long hair.
If the drain blockage persists, call a licensed and qualified plumber. With Fixed Fast Plumbing, our expert plumbers in Sydney can clear your blocked drain and get your plumbing flowing again. For more information, contact us today!