Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preparing the mixture
• Method 2 of 3: Removing the blockage
• Method 3 of 3: Flush the drain
• Tips
• Warnings

If you notice stagnant water in your bathroom or sink, chances are your drain is clogged. Fortunately, if you notice this right away, you can use household ingredients to unclog the clogged drain.Vinegar, baking soda, borax, and plenty of hot water are simple but very effective ways to unclog a clogged drain.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preparing the mixture

1. 1 Empty the sink or bathtub. If the drain is heavily clogged, it may take some time, but the water should still be drained so that the cleaning mixture breaks through the clog much faster.
2. 2 Collect all required household cleaning or kitchen supplies. There are several ways to make your homemade cleaning mixture. Most of these include vinegar and another substance that, when mixed with vinegar, causes a chemical reaction. Check if you have any of these drain cleaners on your farm:
   • Vinegar (white or apple cider is fine) will serve as an acidic base for the reaction to form a foam.
   • Lemon juice, like vinegar, is acidic but has a refreshing aroma. This makes it a great option for unclogging kitchen sinks.
   • Baking soda is often used as a wide range of cleaning products.
   • The salt will help loosen the blockage.
   • Borax is also often used as an all-purpose detergent.
3. 3 Pour the vinegar and the second component into the drain. There is no need to mix them before pouring. When the chemical reaction begins, the mixture will boil and foam on its own.
   • For a vinegar / baking soda combination, use ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup white vinegar.
   • For a lemon juice / baking soda combination, use 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup lemon juice.
   • A combination of salt, borax, and vinegar will require ¼ cup borax, ¼ cup salt, and ½ cup vinegar.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Susan stocker

   
   
   Green Cleaning Specialist Susan Stoker is the owner and manager of Susan's Green Cleaning, Seattle's number one green cleaning company. Well known in the region for its exceptional customer service protocols (won the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics and Integrity) and its strong support for sustainable cleaning practices.

   Susan stocker
   The Green Cleaning Specialist

   You can also fill the drain with just vinegar. Pour about 1 cup of vinegar into the drain and let sit for 30-40 minutes. Vinegar contains a lot of acid (which is why it is excellent at removing soap residue), so it will break down a significant amount of organic compounds clogging the drain.

Method 2 of 3: Removing the blockage

1. 1 Cover the drain and let the mixture settle. Use a drain plug or wet hot cloth. Keep it closed for half an hour. During this time, the seething from the chemical reaction will push the blockage down.
2. 2 Use a plunger to push the blockage out. Use a small sink-sized plunger to push through the blockage. Create a vacuum and poke the drain with up and down jerks.
   • This action will be more effective if you fill your bathtub or sink with water. The water pressure will help remove the blockage.
3. 3 Use a hook to remove the blockage. If the drain is clogged with hair, take a thick wire with a hook at the end (you can unbend the metal hook from the old hanger) and, lowering it into the drain, rotate until you collect all the hair at the end. Rotate the wire trying to catch the blockage. Smoothly stop when you feel yourself hooked on it.
   • Be careful not to scratch your sink or bathtub with the metal end. Also, be careful when unbending the hanger - the metal may be sharp.
4. 4 Use a wire rope to clean the pipes. It looks like a long metal rope. You must carefully lower the cable into the drain hole. When the end hits the blockage, rotate the cable to engage the blockage. When you slowly pull back on the cable, the blockage should clear. Rinse the cable with water and repeat the procedure.
   • Wear gloves as the metal rope can be sharp. You will also need an old towel and a bucket where you will throw the extracted dirt.

Method 3 of 3: Flush the drain

1. 1 Flush the drain with hot water. Boil at least 6 glasses of water or several teapots full. Open the drain and slowly pour water into it.
   • If you have plastic pipes, just use hot water instead of boiling water. Do not allow boiling water to enter the drain.
2. 2 Repeat. If the water still runs off slowly, repeat the process again until the drain is clear.
   • If the blockage still doesn’t respond, the drain is most likely clogged with hair. This may require manual removal. Contact your plumber if you cannot remove the blockage completely.
3. 3 Use water pressure to remove blockage. This works best with a clogged bathroom, because you can fill it with a lot of water. Then open the drain and let the water pressure help clear the blockage.

Tips

• Check if your pipes are rusted.
• These methods work best if you start solving the problem before the drain is completely clogged.
• You should see improvement after two or three tries. If the drain is clogged with hair, you will need to manually remove the hairball.

Warnings

• Avoid using the above products if you have already used a commercial pipe cleaner. The vinegar and chemicals in the cleaner sometimes give off hazardous fumes when reacting.
• Concentrated vinegar (acetic acid) and caustic soda are sometimes used to treat wastewater, but both are irritants. They can irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes and clothing.