Drain clogging is a common problem and many of us come across blocked drains with water flowing back. In some cultures blocked and clogged drains are considered a sign of bad luck and lack of prosperity. In feng shui blocked drains are believed to take away wealth, health, travel, and aspirations. If nothing else, blocked drains can lead to health-related issues including some deadly diseases. The cost of calling a plumber is quite high. Here are some DIY drain cleaning tips and techniques:
1. Baking soda and vinegar
This is the most common natural drain cleaner that can be made at home without much effort. All you need is 1 cup baking soda and a half cup vinegar. Pour baking soda
into the drain that’s clogged. Then pour the vinegar into the drain and cover it completely. This technique is effective for clearing sink drains. You can use a plate to cover the drain. Leave it for 30 minutes, don’t use the sink during this time. After 30 minutes, uncover the drain and pour boiling water into it. Let the water pass for about 2-3 minutes. You might need to repeat this procedure for severe clogs, however following this procedure on a weekly basis will avoid clogging completely.
2. Baking soda and lemon juice
In this technique the vinegar is replaced by lemon juice. The lemon juice makes the drain smell better. The quantities of lemon juice and baking soda remain as above. The procedure also is quite similar. Pour baking soda in the drain followed by lemon juice. After leaving for 30 minutes, rinse the drain with boiling water. The only drawback of this technique is that lemon juice costs more than vinegar.
3. Salt, borax, and vinegar
A mixture of salt, borax, and vinegar can be used to clean drains. Take quarter cup each of salt and borax and half cup of vinegar. Mix together thoroughly and use them as an alternative to your regular soap. Let this mixture remain in your drain for 30 minutes then pass hot water through the drain. This technique will take some time to clear the drain but is effective in the long run.
4. Baking soda and cream of tartar
Baking soda can be combined with salt and cream of tartar for cleaning clogged drains. Remove the drain trap and clean it with a paper towel to ensure there are no bits of food or other particles. Mix one quarter cup baking soda and salt with one quarter cup cream of tartar. Shake the mixture well and pour it down the clogged drain. Let the mixture work for 30 minutes then rinse with 2 cups boiling water. After that use fresh water to clean the drain completely.
All these techniques use boiling water, be careful while using because boiling water may not be suitable for plastic pipes and may melt them.
