Most Helpful Hints: Cleaning drains

Commercial drain cleaner (like Drano or Liquid-Plumr) is expensive and very dangerous. Instead, try using baking soda and vinegar (which are not only very cheap, but also non-toxic). Here's how:

  1. Remove the plug, plunger, or metal strainer from the drain hole.
  2. Pour about 2 - 4 tablespoons (30 - 60 grams or ml) of baking soda into the drain.
  3. Now pour in about 1 - 2 cups (250 - 500 ml) vinegar.
  4. Vinegar will act on the baking soda so that bubbles start to form.
  5. Leave it for about 5 minutes.
  6. Pour a large amount (i.e. 4 cups or 1 litre) of very hot (even boiling) water down the drain. (Alternately, you can turn on the hot water tap, and let the hot water run for a couple of minutes).
This won't unclog a drain which is already badly clogged, but if you do this once a month (or even once every 6 months), you may be able to prevent your drains from ever getting clogged.


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Disclaimer: while these hints are the result of years of experience and/or lots of research, in the end they are just my personal opinion. If you try something I suggest and it doesn't work, please don't sue me &mdash I guarantee nothing. Best of luck!


Page created and maintained by A. Steinbergs

Last modified: September 22, 2008