Have you noticed that your showers are slowly turning into baths? If you’re finding yourself standing in the tub with water around your feet or your plates are getting lost in the sink, you probably have a clogged drain. But before you reach for a chemical-filled, lye-based drain cleaner, think about creating your own natural alternative.
What you’ll need:
2 cups baking soda
4 cups warm water
1 cup vinegar
What to do:
Step 1: Remove all the existing water, dishes or toys from your sink or tub.
Step 2: Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain. To make sure it all goes down, scoop out 1 tablespoon at a time, instead of dumping the entire cup at once.
Step 3: Pour 2 cups of warm water down the drain. When the water and baking soda combine, it will make a thick foam that removes the food and sludge stuck in your pipes.
Step 4: Next, pour another cup of baking soda down the drain. Wait a minute or two, then pour 1 cup of white vinegar in and plug the drain immediately.
Step 5: When the bubbling and fizzing stops, add the last 2 cups of warm water.
If the drain is still clogged, repeat the process one more time.
The benefits:
Chemical cleaners can be harmful to your pipes and family’s health if inhaled. The baking soda and hot water mixture will loosen up any food or sludge that’s stuck to the sides of your drain, then the vinegar flushes it all out. One final hot-water rinse will get into any small spots and kill any remaining bacteria.
The best preventative action you can take is calling your local plumber to scope out your home’s plumbing. At Mitch Wright Plumbing, Heating & Air, we are here for all of your drain cleaning and heating needs, which is why we offer 24/7 emergency services. For more information, give us a call at (901) 795-9044 or visit our website!