A DIY Guide to Effective Drain Cleaning

Raise your hand if you’ve never experienced a slow-moving or clogged drain. Those of you with your hands up – give it time. Even with the best of care clogs are Effective Drain Cleaning bound to happen. From the combo of hair and soap scum in the shower, to food debris and FOG (fats, oil, and grease) in the kitchen sink, it’s only a matter of time before we find ourselves watching water move at a snail’s pace.

Yet reaching for that caustic, potentially toxic store-bought drain cleaner can end up doing more harm than good. In the short run, it provides temporary relief, but always with the risk of causing expensive-to-repair damage to your drainpipes.

So, instead of going the chemical route, try making your own drain cleaning solution – one void of chemical ingredients and comprised solely of everyday, non-caustic household items.

What You’ll Need:

• Rubber Gloves
• 1-Gallon Bucket
• Paper Towels
• Cream of Tartar
• Baking Soda
• Table Salt
• Lidded Mason Jar
• Teakettle

Step 1

Wearing your rubber gloves, use the bucket to remove as much accumulated water from the sink or tub as possible. Remove the drain cover and clean around the inside edges of the top with a common bathroom cleaner. Wipe out any hair or soap scum you see near the surface, using a paper towel.

Step 2

Combine ½ cup baking soda, ½ cup salt, and 1/8 cup of cream of tartar in a mason jar. Put the lid on, close it tightly, and give the jar a good shake to blend the ingredients. Pour half the contents down the drain and save the other half for next time. The baking soda and salt work to break up the clog while cream of tartar cleans metal.

Step 3

Heat water in a teakettle to boiling and pour about 2 cups worth down the drain. Let it sit for at least an hour before turning on the faucet again.

Step 4

After an hour or so, run tap water for a few minutes to clear the drain cleaner from the drain. If water is draining freely, you’re good to go. If not, you may need to repeat the above step one more time. Wipe up any residue with paper towel and rinse the sink or tub clean.

So easy a child can do it, right? Actually, yes, even though you wouldn’t want them to for obvious reasons. But then there’s the other kind of clogged drain – the kind that no amount of DIY effort or ingredients can make a dent in. When that happens, it’s time to call    Norhio Plumbing.  We’ll rescue you from your clogged drain or toilet misery, no matter how big or small the job. After all, that’s what we do.