In our last post, we talked about the most common reasons for clogged drains. There are many tools and products that you can pick up at your local hardware store to help clear out your drain. However, if you can’t get out to pick up a drain snake, plunger, or some drain cleaner, there are a couple of ways to clear out your drain with stuff you already have in your house.
Try these drain cleaning methods if you can’t get to the hardware store for supplies.
What You’ll Need
You’ll need a few things that you likely already have in your house.
- A pot or kettle to boil water, or a microwave-safe measuring cup
- Funnel
- Grease-fighting dish soap
- Baking soda
- Distilled white vinegar
- Salt
What You’ll Do
There are two methods to try using the items we listed. The first is the baking soda and vinegar method.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
Put some water in a pot or kettle to boil, or fill a large measuring cup and stick it in the microwave. Once it’s boiled, squirt a little dish soap into the drain and then pour the boiling water down the drain as well. This will help dissolve greasy clogs. Next, measure out one cup of baking soda and pour it down the drain using the funnel. You’ll then pour a cup of vinegar into the drain.
You’ll likely hear fizzing sounds as the baking soda and vinegar react, just like if you ever made a model volcano in school. That reaction is what dissolves the clog in your drain. Wait five minutes after the fizzing dies down and flush the drain with more boiling water. If the drain flows, continue to flush it out with hot tap water. If it doesn’t flow, repeat the process or try the salt and baking soda method.
Baking Soda and Salt Method
You’ll have to let this sit overnight, so it’s best to try this method in the evening. Start by pouring one cup of baking soda into the drain. Follow it with half a cup of salt. Let the mixture sit in the drain overnight. In the morning, pour two cups of boiling water down the drain. If it starts to drain, flush the drain with tap water.