We have all experienced at some time a blocked or slow draining bathroom sink. The first reaction may be to run out and buy an easy to use but corrosive drain cleaning product. But hold on, there are more natural ways to solve the problem of a clogged drain. If you find that the clog is stubborn and after several attempts you are not successful, call a licensed plumber.
Below you will find suggestions to remove clogs using natural products; many found in your kitchen cupboard.
The First and Fast Tip
One suggestion is to use baking soda, white vinegar and boiling water. This method helps to break down and eat away at the blockage. Using this solution is also a good way to freshen the pipes removing any odours that may be coming from the sink.
Add juice from a lemon to the solution; lemon juice helps to neutralise odours. Use this solution monthly to keep drains smelling fresh. The baking soda/vinegar method is simple to use.
- Measure out ¼ cup of baking soda and pour down the drain.
- 1 cup white vinegar. Pour the vinegar down the drain. The vinegar and baking soda will mix causing a chemical reaction. The solution will bubble and fizz eating away at any blockages encountered. Plug the drain. You want to keep the bubbles in the drain working on the clog.
- Wait at least fifteen minutes as the solution continues its work of breaking down the clog.
- Remove the sink stopper and pour boiling water down the drain. The boiling water will push the baking soda and vinegar down the drain. While pouring the boiling water, watch to see if the water drains faster. If still slow repeat the process.
Natural Products
Other natural products that help to clear clogged drains are products that contain enzymes. The enzymes eat through clogs and clear the drain. One such product called “Earth Enzymes Drain Opener” removes clogs and if used as a maintenance tool weekly will keep drains free of built up bathroom hair clogs.
Zip Tool
A simple but highly effective tool for removing bathroom hair clogs is a drain cleaning “zip” tool. This tool is plastic, flexible with notched spines along its edges. Put the zip tool down the drain, pull up, bringing the clog material up on its spines. Repeat as needed.
Use a plunger
To do the job effectively there are several steps to take.
- Fill the sink partially with water.
- Close off the overflow hole with a cloth.
- Now you are ready to use the plunger. Fit the plunger over the drain opening and plunge up and down very vigorously several times.
- Remove stopper.
- Does sink drain quickly? If not repeat process.
- If the clog is stubborn you may have to try a more aggressive method.
Plumber’s snake
If the plunger method doesn’t give the desired results, you can try a plumber’s snake. Follow the directions for using the snake. Feed the snake down the drain pipe until there is resistance. This will most likely be where the pipe is blocked. Tighten a screw on the snake base and then start to twist the snake. You can also use the snake like a plunger moving it up and down until there is no more resistance. Pull the snake out of the drain; check to see how quickly the water flows.
If you still experience problems, call your local Brighton plumber who knows what to look for and how to address the problem.