5 Effective Homemade Drain Cleaners

Having a clogged sink can make any one feel that they should have been a tad too careful about all the things they allowed to pass through the drain. Food particles, grease to your hair, there are a lot of things about which we just do not care and let them go down the drain. If you are scared of spoiling the drain, then, here are some DIY drain cleaner ideas to assist you.

Things to keep in mind before you prepare the drain cleaner

It is important to keep in mind to regularly use the homemade drain cleaner, before the clogs occur. This is because a homemade drain cleaner takes longer than a commercial one. You may also need to repeat the efforts on regular intervals. A lot of homemade drain cleaners take up to an hour to work.

Before using the homemade drain cleaner, it is important to first clean the dirt stuck inthe clog, by putting on a pair of gloves. It may be a minor clog and all you would need is a slight plunging of the drain and running hot water a couple of times.

1. Baking Soda with Vinegar

Baking soda is a top cleaning agent. It is also one of the most commonly used DIY drain cleaner. Use a cupful of baking soda and one cupful of vinegar. When mixed together and added to plenty of hot water, the mixture will produce a foaming action and the drain will pop open.

2. Baking Soda with Lemon Juice

Lemon juice smells a lot better, and works just as good as vinegar. You may also use the mixture of baking soda and lemon juice, in your kitchen sink just for the pleasant smell that will linger. Once you have mixed these ingredients and poured it on to the kitchen sink, keep in mind to run lots of water. Pour water after the mixture has foamed up.

3. Boiling Water

It is possible for the sink to be clogged because of various types of oils and fats that tend to get stuck in the pipe and end up solidifying. It is possible for you to clear such a clog by pouring boiling water into the sink. Be mindful, while pouring the water; it must be poured directly into the drain, so as to avoid cracking porcelain or damaging plastic.

4. Salt, Borax and Vinegar

Mix ¼ cup of salt, ¼ cupful of Borax and ½ cupful of vinegar. Flow this solution into the sink. Pour lots of water, after pouring this solution into the sink. This may take a while to open the clog.

5. Baking Soda – Tartar Cleanser

Wipe the area around sink drain with a paper towel, so as to remove collections of hair or bits of food. Mix ¼ cup cream of tartar, ¼ cup salt, ¼ cup baking soda and 2 cups boiling water. Let the solution flow through the drain. Pour the boiling water. After an hour, pour cool water.

If the clog is major, it is possible that the homemade drain cleaner will take time in cleaning the mess that is already stuck. In that case, you will have to snake the drain.