1. Skip Chemical Drain Cleaners in Favor of Homemade Solutions

When you have a backed-up kitchen or shower drain, you just want it fixed. We’ve all seen drain cleaning solutions advertised on TV and online, and they’re usually available at the supermarket, hardware, and other retail outlets. So you head to the store to get a bottle of Super Strength Clog-B-Gone! or some other miracle drain opener. Problem solved, right? In the short term, maybe. Many people believe that the best way to unclog a drain is the one that works, but chemical shortcuts can actually cut the life of your plumbing short. 

While liquid drain openers can be great in a pinch, over the long term, chemical drain cleaning solutions can be toxic and gradually cause corrosion in your drain pipes. When it’s not an emergency (yet), there are many DIY methods to unclog a drain using items you should already have in your home. Best of all? No harsh chemicals, and no plastic residue to end up in the landfill.

Here are five homemade drain cleaning tips for the best way to unclog a drain. If these don’t work, give us a call or schedule a drain cleaning plumber online.

  • Boiling water. A great first move to try. It’s an easy and quick way to unclog a drain, assuming there aren’t bigger problems. Boil a kettle of water. Slowly pour the boiling water down the drain. Let the hot water go to work for several seconds in between each pour. 
  • Fetch the plunger. Plungers are handy to have around the house, and they’re cheaper than the plumber. Get ready to start plunging. If that doesn’t work, move on to the next step (or call us). 
  • Unclogging a drain with baking soda and vinegar: Distilled white vinegar is a great choice, and a cheap way to clean all sorts of things. Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the clogged drain, and then add a cup of heated vinegar. The foaming action will break down greasy buildup. Let it sit for half an hour. To finish the job, pour in some boiling water to wash everything away. 
  • Salt and baking soda: Mix 1/2 cup of table salt with 1/2 cup of baking soda and pour it into the blocked drain. Leave it for 10-20 minutes, then follow with boiling water. Salt, baking soda, and boiling water produce a chemical reaction that can dissolve the nastiest parts of most drain clogs. 
  • A bent wire hanger can make another simple, but effective tool. Take a regular wire coat hanger and straighten it. Bend one end to create a small hook. The idea is to pull gunk out of the drain, not push it further down. When you’ve finished, flush with hot water. You’ll know quickly whether the clog is resolved.

Finally, if your sinks and drains are clogging regularly, there’s likely something bigger going on with your plumbing. Time to call in the Comfort Heroes! Donley’s trained plumbing professionals will pinpoint the issue, and choose the right equipment and technology to clean your drains quickly without caustic chemicals or causing more damage. By the way – you might not know that regular drain cleaning offers many advantages. This service can save you money in several ways:

-Reducing your energy bills by keeping your water heater operating at peak efficiency.

-Reducing your water bill by locating small leaks that need repair.

-Maximizing the life of your plumbing equipment and appliances.

-Avoiding costly plumbing repairs that can result from the neglect of your system.

Schedule drain cleaning services and drain repair here.