by Lisa Federico

Created on: June 12, 2010

How To Unclog A Drain

Although there are numerous products on the market that effectively unclog drains, those products are most often highly toxic substances that will literally eat whatever is clogging your drain.  Who knows what it all does to your pipes, and you already know you usually have to leave the room once you begin treatment due to odor and poisonous fumes hanging in the air.  Those kind of fumes where you have to turn the fan on, open the window, close the door – or suffer the consequences, which can be quite dangerous. 

Skin contact, a splash in the eyes, or breathing in toxic substances can cause rashes, burning eyes, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a host of other reactions.

However, there's a simple, quick, inexpensive, highly effective, and very green solution to the nasty, caustic products you've been using:  baking soda, plain white vinegar, and boiling water. 

Yes, no kidding!  Got a bad clog, or even just a sluggish drain?  Try this now:

Head to the kitchen.  Fill your tea kettle or a large pot with water and turn a burner on high.  You want to get that water really bubbling, scalding hot.  While you're waiting for it to boil, measure out one quarter cup of baking soda and one half cup of plain white vinegar.  You've got your tools.

Proceed to wherever you have a clogged drain.  How about the bathroom sink – likely stopped up with hair, the usual bathroom clog culprit.   Sprinkle the baking soda down the drain – being careful that it actually goes down the drain, and not all over the sink.  Now, step a foot or two back and quickly pour your half cup of vinegar directly over the baking soda.  What happens next?  You'll witness a mini volcano going on as the two substances react and collide with each other and cause some serious rumbling in your drain, and a little gushing of white, thick, frothy foam up into the sink.  Let the baking soda and vinegar fight it out for about five minutes, ten minutes if you think you've got a serious clog – then go get your boiling water.  By now, the kettle is probably screaming.  Pour all the water quickly down the drain – being cautious not to splash yourself.  There will be a pretty good “wooosh” sound and the water will race down the drain like the clog never existed.

Success without expensive, toxic products, plungers and other tools.  No headache causing, eye burning odors.  Baking soda, vinegar, water.  Safe, smart, and effective.

Clog unclogged.

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