A clogged kitchen sink drain can be a show stopper for any cook or party host. While store-bought chemical cleaners can be effective at unclogging drains, they can also be expensive, harsh and damaging to the environment. Baking soda and vinegar are two common household ingredients that can be used in a variety of ways, including as natural cleaners for your drains. There are a lot of reasons why this is a go-to method for unclogging a drain.
- Dump 1 cup of baking soda down the drain
- Pour a 1 cup of vinegar
- Let it sit for 10 minutes
- Flush it out with a pot of boiling water to clear any remaining residue
The baking soda & vinegar hack sounds like magic, but really it’s just science. In fact, you probably experimented with this chemical reaction as a kid in science class, when mixing baking soda & vinegar together to stage a volcano eruption. Vinegar is dilute acetic acid and baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. When mixed together, baking soda & vinegar create a chemical reaction that helps clear your drain. When the two ingredients are mixed they create carbon dioxide gas which fizzes, foams and bubbles creating a natural scouring action that can remove any stubborn buildup. Rinsing it down with hot water helps push any debris out of your plumbing, allowing liquids to easily pass through your pipes.
The best part about using this hack, is you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen. This is a convenient and budget-friendly option for maintaining your drains. Since this hack is so affordable and easy to do, it’s a good idea to clean your drains with this method every few months. This maintenance will help prevent buildup, saving you money on expensive repairs later.
A stinky sink is gross and nauseating. Baking soda has disinfecting properties that fight odor-causing fungi and bacteria. By regularly using the method outlined above, you can keep your sinks from forming foul smells.
Baking soda & vinegar are a natural and safe combination to use. They will not cause any damage to your PVC pipes. A lot of chemical drain cleaners are harsh, abrasive and can cause damage to the environment. Baking soda and vinegar, on the other hand, are both natural and non-toxic, making them safe to pour down the drain.
If your drain doesn’t unclog right away, repeat the baking soda & vinegar process another time or two. If you have a stubborn clog, sometimes the baking soda & vinegar trick just doesn’t work. You may have to use a sink plunger to help push through the blockage. You can also use a drain snake to remove any clogs.
Preventing buildup is key to maintaining your drains. You can do this by regularly pouring hot water down your drain. The hot water prevents clogs by dissolving any grease or grime that may be accumulating.
By using these simple hacks, you can keep your drains flowing smoothly and avoid the need for harsh chemical cleaners. However, if your drain is still clogged you may need to call in a professional plumber. Call a Paschal Pro at 479-900-0784 or schedule online today.
