by Dolores Moore

Created on: November 02, 2009

Making a homemade drain degreaser is very easy, economical and "green." Actually, making this is much easier than typing the words "drain degreaser" - for some reason my fingers want to type "brain decreaser." But enough nonsense. If you try these suggestions, you will be able to throw away those harsh chemicals that are neither good for man nor beast, nor, the earth, if it comes to it. The drain degreasers here are suitable for both inside and outside use, but will be separated into those two categories. Whichever one you need to use, it should hopefully rid your drains of that nasty,slimy build-up of grease.

INSIDE: You really cannot help getting grease or soap build-up on inside drains, such as gathers from kitchen and bathroom sinks. First, dissolve the grease by pouring a cup of salt water (hot) and a cup of soda water down each drain, immediately followed by a bucketful of very hot water. You can also use this on outside drains that are clogged with grease.

Next, make sure you take preventative action after you get those drains cleared. Every month, give your inside drains some attention. Get one quarter of a cup of bicarbonate of soda and pour this down your kitchen and bathroom sinks. Last thing at night would be best, when taps are less likely to be running. You want it to stay there long enough to prevent build-up of soap and grease.

OUTSIDE: First, you may have to get out your heavy-duty rubber gloves and a small gardening fork to clear away leaves and debris collected around the drains, before applying your homemade drain degreaser. You will need a half a cup of bicarbonate of soda and a full cup of vinegar. Use a large bowl for mixing your potion as it will sizzle and fizz. Get it down the drain as fast as you can, then go have a cup of coffee and read your book for an hour. It will do the work of eating into the grease. To finish off, use several buckets of very hot water to wash away the dissolved grease.

It is difficult to stop grease getting into your drains in the first place, but one way is to always wipe greasy pots and pans with plenty of kitchen paper before washing them. If you are hand-washing, use plenty of washing up liquid, some lemon juice to cut the grease, and water as hot as you can take it. Pour excess fat into containers, once it has cooled; old yogurt pots or margarine tubs will do, then these can be thrown away. That way, you cut the amount of fat getting into your sinks and drains. To keep debris out of the outside drains, get a ball of galvanized wire wool and fix it into the drain opening. It will act as a filter and catch muck and rubbish, so preventing blockages.

The secret of grease-free drains is to take care what you pour down them that you know will cause grease and slime build-up. Then use your homemade drain degreaser often. There you have it; clean drains, little effort, less expense, and no chemicals.

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