Natural Drain Cleaner

A natural drain cleaner can easily succeed the same way expensive, store bought drain cleaners can. The last thing any of us wants after a busy day is to find that the kitchen sink is draining sluggishly and threatening to clog up, perhaps even releasing unpleasant odors into the house. Our thoughts turn to after-hours plumber’s fees or toxic chemical cocktails promising to keep that drain flowing smoothly, forgetting about the possibilities of a natural, easy to use drain cleaner.

Before desperation strikes however, there are a few natural drain cleaners that you can make from ingredients that you are sure to have in your pantry already. Not only are they cheap and ready at hand, but they are safe to use in the home (with no poisonous fumes for your kids to breathe in). They have the added benefit of being safe for the environment, so you will not be adding any toxic chemicals to the water supply. Try some of these eco friendly drain cleaners before you call the plumber.

1. Natural Drain Opener with Baking Soda and Vinegar

This is the first remedy to use any time you see that the drain is getting clogged. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain, followed immediately by half a cup of vinegar. Cover the drain and leave it to bubble for a few minutes. Pour very hot water down the drain to flush it. The vinegar and baking soda react together to break down the grease and food particles to help dissolved the clog.

(Warning: don’t use this method if you have tried and failed with a commercial drain opener. If the chemicals are still present in the water, it could react to produce toxic fumes)

2. Washing Soda

If the water has backed up into your sink, then the above method isn’t going to be possible until the water has been released. Pour a cup of washing soda over the drain area and leave it to work its way to the clog for half an hour. It should help loosen the clog and let the water through, after which you can use the baking soda and vinegar method to clear the clog further.

3. Enzyme Drain Cleaners

Enzyme drain cleaners are a natural way for clearing blockages of organic matter in drains. They are recommended for regular maintenance of drains with septic tanks, but are also great for reducing odors from garbage disposals and generally keeping drains clear. They are not as cheap as using the household ingredients suggested above but are a natural way of keeping your drains clean and odor-free. Care should be taken with these, especially around children, as some enzyme products can irritate skin and eyes.

Natural Drain Maintenance Tips

Prevention is always better than cure. To stop clogs building up and keep your drains flowing freely and smelling sweet, use one of the following natural drain cleaning methods on a weekly basis:

• Pour a jug of boiling water down the drain to prevent grease and fat blockages.
• Put two tablespoons of baking soda and two of vinegar down the sink, followed by hot water.
• Pour half a cup of dish detergent down the drain followed by boiling water.

Note: boiling water isn’t recommended for use with plastic or PVC pipes as it can loosen the joins and cause leaks.

These are just a few natural drain cleaner ideas you can try if you find yourself in a bind. Give them a try before you call an expensive plumber. More importantly, try these before you introduce any harmful chemicals to your house.

Your family will thank you!

Thanks for reading.

Happy cleaning.