Anyone who’s ever used liquid drain cleaner or other caustic plumbing chemicals knows how very toxic they are — if the smell of the fumes doesn’t tell you, the way they bubble and fizz and smoke when they come into contact with clogs certainly will. Are there any alternatives to potentially poisoning chemicals — or constantly clogged drains? Yes! We’ve gathered together a list of some gentle, natural ways to get your sink, shower, toilet, or tub running smoothly again!
1. Boiling Water
Start simple: plain ol’ H20. Boiling water can be surprisingly effective in eliminating some bathroom clogs. It’s particularly good if you suspect the stopped-up drain is due to soap scum.
This method is just as you would expect: use a kettle or a large pot like you’d cook pasta in. Bring the water to a boil, then — carefully, using oven mitts or heatproof grilling gloves — empty it into the drain. For safety’s sake, don’t dump it all at once, but do it in about three or four pours, waiting 30 seconds or so in between. Stand back, too, in order to stay safe from the rising steam.
The results from boiling water are generally pretty rapid. So if the drain isn’t cleared in the next 15 or 20 minutes, move on to another solution.
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar
Next up, call in the reinforcements of baking soda and vinegar. You probably know what happens when you mix these simple household ingredients together. If not, prepare to be amazed at their unclogging power.
First, pour a couple cups of boiling or very hot water down the drain. Then add ⅓ to ½ cup of baking soda, followed by an equal amount of vinegar. Have a large metal bowl handy, and pop it over the drain immediately after adding the vinegar — this will keep the potent mixture in the drain, doing its job.
After an hour or so, flush the drain with more hot water.
3. Baking Soda and Salt
Another mixture to try is baking soda and salt. Again, you want equal amounts of each, around a ½ cup or thereabouts. Follow the same instructions as for baking soda and vinegar.
You can also try both methods in rapid succession. Together, the three ingredients can be powerful drain unblockers. However, don’t despair if they do not do the trick. We have more secret weapons up our sleeves!
4. A Wet-Dry Vacuum
Chances are you have never considered vacuuming your tub or sink drain — but this is one of those household hacks that’s going to make you say “Whoa! Mind…blown!”
For this fix, you will need a wet-dry vacuum, also known as a shop vac. Depending on the size of the drain and the size of the vac’s hose, you may also need something to help create a seal — try a plunger head with the handle removed or the top of a 2-liter soda bottle, trimmed down with a utility knife. And make sure you have the vacuum set to “wet.”
Be prepared to unearth some pretty gnarly gunk. It might smell pretty unpleasant, too. The odor will dissipate now that you have the clog cleared, but to help counteract the unpleasantness in the meantime, try flushing a little baking soda and boiling water through the drain.
5. A Wire Hanger
A plumber’s snake is a handy tool to keep around the house if you get lots of clogs, but if you don’t happen to have one and can’t get to the home improvement store right away — but your clog can’t wait — you can improvise with a wire hanger. This is also a method you can use if you’re trying to live lightly on the planet or embracing a minimalist lifestyle, and don’t want to buy another item that will sit mostly unused in your garage or basement.
You’ll want to look up the directions for unclogging whatever fixture is blocked in your bathroom, just to be on the safe side. “Since plumbing systems differ depending on what kind of drain or toilet you have, be very careful using this method,” says Fix It Right Plumbing (learn more here: www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/leak-detection-melbourne/). “You don’t want to dislodge an important part or otherwise make things worse!”
Wrapping Up
Now you know how to unclog a drain without using nasty, toxic, expensive chemicals! It can feel incredibly empowering to take care of a plumbing problem like a clogged drain on your own.
However, it’s also important to know when to throw in the towel and call for professional help. If you get in over your head, or if your solutions aren’t working, go ahead and give the plumbers a jingle to save yourself time and hassle.
Hi there! I am Emily Evert, the owner of Emily Reviews. I am 28 and live in a small town in Michigan with my boyfriend Ryan and our two pugs. I have a large family and I adore my nieces and nephews. I love reading memoirs, and learning about child development and psychology. I love watching The Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, Sister Wives and Veep. I like listening to Jason Isbell, John Prine, and other alt-country or Americana music. I created Emily Reviews as a creative outlet to share my life and the products that I love with others.
monique s
Michelle S
I have had good success with baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water. I would much rather try these ideas first before using toxic chemicals.