Baking soda and vinegar to clear drain

Baking soda and vinegar to clear drain

Green cleaners want to know can vinegar and baking soda be a drain cleaner? Yes, it can. Learn how to use baking soda and vinegar to unclog your drain, and find out why baking soda and vinegar work to remove drain gunk.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Drain Cleaner

Use the vinegar and baking soda combination to help clear a sluggish drain. And there really isn't much to this method.

  1. Remove any standing water in the way of getting to the drain.
  2. Boil a pot of water, about 2-3 cups.
  3. Add two drops of Dawn to the water.
  4. Pour this down the drain.
  5. Wait a minute or two for the hot water and Dawn to dissolve any grease.
  6. Pour a half-cup of baking soda down the drain.
  7. Then add half a cup of white vinegar.

  8. Place a drain cover over the drain and wait for fifteen to twenty minutes.
  9. While waiting, put a kettle with six to eight cups of water on to boil.
  10. Pour the boiling water down the drain to flush the vinegar and baking soda through.

A 1:1 ratio of baking soda to vinegar works best to clean drains. However, you can play around with this ratio depending on the clog.

Baking soda and vinegar to clear drain

Defeat Stubborn Clogs

It may take two or three repeat treatments to get the clog cleared on stubborn clogs. If water is standing, it may also reduce the effectiveness of the vinegar and baking soda combination. Remember, never use vinegar and baking soda after using an industrial chemical or when it is still present in the drain. This could cause a chemical reaction.

How Baking Soda & Vinegar Work as a Drain Cleaner

So, how does this work? Well, the initial boiling water works to melt grease out of your way. Then it comes down to science! If you remember science class, vinegar and baking soda expand and can actually fill a balloon with air if you put them together in a bottle. The pressure of the expanding products helps shove the clog down as it eats away at the edges.

Benefits of Using Vinegar and Baking Soda on a Clogged Drain

Commercial drain cleaners can be harmful. In some pipes, they can eat away at the material, and they cause chemical burns on your skin. Additionally, if they don't clear out the clog, you don't have many options since they are corrosive. However, baking soda and white vinegar are both natural chemicals that you can freely touch and eat. White vinegar is gentle enough to eat at the organic material of the clog but not destroy your pipes. So, vinegar and baking soda are a much more natural option to try.

How Often to Clean Your Drains

Once you get your drain running again, it's important to clean it weekly to prevent build-up and odors. And the process is fairly pain-free.

  1. Boil a few cups of water.
  2. Add a few drops of Dawn and pour it down the drain.
  3. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda down the drain for odors.

Cleaning Your Drains With Baking Soda and Vinegar

While the kitchen is a common clog area, this method works on your bathroom sink and tub drains too. Vinegar and baking soda are tremendously versatile products in anyone's house-cleaning arsenal. Not only can they clean drains, but they can clean your entire bathroom with the right combination.

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Yes, baking soda and vinegar are effective at cleaning drains. When baking soda and vinegar mix together, they create a chemical reaction that can break down the grime and dirt in your drain. Be sure to pour baking soda down the drain first, then follow up with white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before rinsing with hot water. If your drain is really dirty, you may need to repeat this process a few times.

Is It Safe To Clean Drains With Baking Soda And Vinegar?

When used correctly, baking soda and white vinegar are safe to use for drain cleaning. However, it's important to be careful not to mix too much baking soda with the vinegar, as this can create a dangerous gas. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and always test any mixture in a small area before applying it to your entire drain.

Baking soda and white vinegar are two of the most common ingredients found in the kitchen, so it's no surprise that they can also be used to clean drains. These natural ingredients work together to break down clogging agents and help clear your drain.

How Long Do You Leave The Baking Soda And Vinegar In The Drain?

You should leave the baking soda and vinegar mixture in the drain for about 30 minutes. After this time has passed, you can flush the drain with hot water to remove any remaining baking soda and vinegar. If your drain is still clogged, you can repeat this process until the clog is cleared.

How Often Should You Clean Your Drains With Baking Soda And Vinegar?

You should clean your drains with baking soda and vinegar every few months. This will help keep your drains clear and free of clogs.

If you have a clogged drain, baking soda and vinegar can be a great way to clear it. These natural ingredients work together to break down clogging agents and help clear your drain. You should try this method before calling a plumber, as it could save you money.

Does Vinegar And Baking Soda Damage PVC Pipes?

What if you have PVC pipes in your plumbing system? Will cleaning with white distilled vinegar and baking soda harm those pipes?

The answer is no. In fact, baking soda and vinegar are two of the safest and most effective ways to clean pipes.

They will not cause any damage to PVC pipes and can actually help to keep them clean and clear of blockages.

So, if you have PVC pipes in your home, feel free to use baking soda and vinegar to clean your drains.

Recipe For Using Baking Soda And Vinegar

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of baking soda

1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar

In an empty sink, put the baking soda down the drain followed by the vinegar. Plug the drain and wait at least an hour. Unplug the drain and pour a large pot of boiling water down the drain.

For other homemade drain cleaner ideas - click here.

Baking soda and vinegar are a great, affordable way to clean your drains. Not only are they effective, but they are also safe to use with PVC pipes. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to consult a professional.

If you have any questions about how to clean a drain or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.