Clogged drains is a common household problem but it can be frustrating if it occurs often. There are plenty of products on the market to keep your drain clean by removing the clogs. But those products could be made of nasty chemicals that can be bad for your health and harmful to your plumbing. So why choose these methods when safer and equally effective options exist?
Use Boiling Water
If your drain is completely clogged by fat or grease then pour a small amount of hot water down the drain, sometimes it will work out effectively, in case of small clogs. Suppose if the boiling water doesn’t work for your situation, add a few drops of dish soap which may break down the grease or fat that’s causing the clog. Another option to add is salt, which acts a natural abrasive to remove off the waste to the side of your pipes. Simply pour a half cup of any type of salt down the drain.
Baking soda and vinegar
Mix 1/3rd of a cup of baking soda with 1/3rd of a cup of vinegar , it will start to fizz immediately, without any delay pour it down the clogged drain. The fizzing action will work out effectively to remove the gunk, hair, and grime that has built up in the pipe. Allow it to rest for one hour or even overnight if you can. Flush with hot water. Alternatively, make use of the dry baking soda to clean the drain first, then pour on the vinegar.
Use a Drain Snake
If you have a pipe that you can’t clean like a shower drain your next great option is to use a drain auger or drain snake. A drain auger has a long cable with a dredging head which can remove any type of clogs. You simply unwind it and wind it up for a while. This method is proven by the plumbers as very effective! A drain auger is also very handy to have around to clean even the deep clogs that a plunger just can’t remove.
The Bent Wire Hanger
Take a regular wire coat hanger and straighten it as much as you can. Then, bend one end over to create a small hook. Push that past the drain cover and start fishing. You must get all sorts of hair and nasty stuff out of the drain. Remember, your focus is to remove the gunk out, not pushing it further. When you’ve got the maximum, run the hot water, and it should clear things up nicely.
Dish Detergent
If your toilet is clogged, pour a few drops of dish detergent in the bowl. Then boil some water. Dish soap is the best lubricant and helps break up any greasy residue. After a while pour the hot water down, and get ready to start plunging. If the plunger doesn’t cut it, rubber gloves can be the next option.
Salt and Baking Soda
Mix 1/2 cup of table salt with 1/2 cup of baking soda and pour down the drain. Allow it to rest for 10-20 minutes, then pour boiling water down. Salt & baking soda plus boiling water will produce a chemical reaction that can easily remove any kind of blockages.
Try any of the above methods and naturally clean a clogged drain.