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How to Make Your Own Homemade Drain Cleaner: Homemade Drain Declogger

Dealing with a slow or clogged drain is never fun, but fortunately, you don’t always have to rely on harsh chemicals like Drano.

Whether it’s your sink, tub, or shower, you can create an eco-friendly, DIY drain cleaner right at home using a few pantry staples. Not only is this method cheaper, but it’s also safer for both your plumbing and the environment.

Plus, if the clog proves tough, you can still use this as a first line of defense before turning to more potent options.

What Does Homemade Drain Cleaner Do?

Homemade drain cleaners can often work just as well as store-bought chemical cleaners, especially for minor clogs or slow-moving drains.

The primary ingredients—baking soda and white vinegar—react with each other to create a bubbly, fizzing action that helps loosen debris stuck in the drain.

Baking soda (a mild base) and vinegar (a weak acid) combine to produce carbon dioxide, which works to dislodge small particles of dirt, soap scum, and hair, allowing them to wash down the drain with a bit of help from boiling water.

By using this simple, natural solution, you can tackle clogs without introducing harmful chemicals into your home or plumbing.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Cup
  • Bucket
  • Drain stopper (optional)

Materials

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
  • Boiling water (enough to pour down the drain)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Clear Any Standing Water

If your sink, shower, or tub is clogged with standing water, start by removing as much as possible.

Use a cup or small container to scoop out the excess water into a bucket. You don’t need to get the drain completely dry, but the less standing water in the basin, the better your cleaner will work.

This step ensures that the cleaning solution has direct contact with the clog.

2. Boiling Water

Boil a small pot of water. Once it reaches a rolling boil, carefully pour it down the drain.

The hot water will help loosen any grease, soap scum, or debris clinging to the inside of the pipes, making it easier for the baking soda and vinegar to work.

Warning: Be careful when pouring boiling water, as splashes can cause burns or other injuries.

3. Add Baking Soda

After the initial flush of boiling water, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drain. Baking soda acts as a natural abrasive that can help break up minor clogs and neutralize odors.

4. Add Vinegar

Next, pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the drain. You’ll likely hear a fizzing sound as the two ingredients react.

This bubbling action is the key to loosening up stubborn buildup in your pipes.

5. Cover the Drain

If you have a drain stopper or plug, use it to cover the drain. This helps trap the bubbling action inside the pipes, forcing the reaction downward to break up debris.

If you don’t have a stopper, you can skip this step—though covering it can help the cleaner work more efficiently.

Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. During this time, the bubbling will continue to break up grease, hair, and other buildup that may be blocking your drain.

6. Add More Boiling Water

After the 10 minutes, it’s time to pour another round of boiling water down the drain.

This will help wash away any debris that’s been loosened by the baking soda and vinegar and flush it down the pipes.

7. Clear the Drain

To finish the cleaning process, run hot tap water for a few seconds to ensure that any remaining debris is flushed out completely.

8. Repeat as Needed

If the drain is still slow or clogged after your first attempt, don’t worry.

You can try this method again, as sometimes one round of cleaning isn’t enough to clear a stubborn clog.

If you’re starting to notice some improvement, continue the process. If the clog persists, consider trying an alternative remedy (see below).

Once the drain is clear, don’t forget to replace the stopper or pop-up.

Additional Tips for Ongoing Drain Maintenance

To keep your drains free from buildup and ensure they remain clear, incorporate a simple maintenance routine.

Periodically flush your drains with boiling water to clear out any soap scum or grease before it forms a clog. Doing this once a month can prevent many common drain issues.

Alternative DIY Drain Cleaner Recipes

If your first attempt doesn’t completely clear the drain, you can try these alternative DIY cleaners that can be effective for different types of clogs:

1. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of lemon juice and pour it down the drain. Let it sit for an hour before flushing with boiling water. This combination provides an extra burst of freshness, as lemon juice acts as a natural deodorizer.

2. Baking Soda and Salt

Combine 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup of salt and pour it down the drain. Let it sit for at least an hour before flushing with boiling water. The salt adds an abrasive element that can help dislodge stubborn clogs.

3. Dish Soap and Hot Water

Pour a few drops of liquid dish soap (preferably a degreaser) into the drain, followed by boiling water. This works especially well for breaking down greasy buildup in kitchen sinks.

4. Borax, Vinegar, and Salt

Mix 1/4 cup of borax, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and 1/4 cup of salt and pour it down the drain. Let it sit for an hour, then flush with boiling water. This combination is effective for breaking down grease and grime.

5. Cream of Tartar, Baking Soda, and Salt

After pouring boiling water down the drain, follow up with a paste made from 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar and 2 cups of baking soda. Let the mixture sit for an hour before flushing it with more boiling water.

Other Solutions for Stubborn Clogs

If the DIY solutions above don’t clear the drain, you may need to try using a wet-dry shop vacuum. The suction power can be effective at loosening clogs, especially if the drain is backed up with hair or debris.

You can also use a drain snake to manually break up and remove the clog. If you’re dealing with a particularly persistent clog, disassembling the drain trap may be necessary.

When to Call a Professional

If multiple DIY methods fail to clear your drain, or if you notice repeated clogs, it may be time to call a plumber.

Persistent clogging, strange noises, or foul smells (like gurgling or rotting odors) can be signs of a deeper issue, such as a broken pipe or tree root invasion.

A professional plumber can diagnose and address the problem more effectively, preventing long-term damage to your plumbing system.

FAQ

How do you keep your drains from clogging?
Regular maintenance is key. Remove hair and debris from the drain regularly, and flush it with hot water to prevent grease and soap buildup. A monthly drain cleaner treatment can also help maintain flow.

What causes clogged drains?
Clogs are caused by a variety of materials, including hair, food particles, grease, soap scum, minerals, and small foreign objects. Over time, these substances accumulate and form blockages.

Can you put too much baking soda and vinegar down the drain?
Using too much can create a solid mass that may block the drain further. Stick to the recommended 1/2 cup of each for best results.

Will hydrogen peroxide unclog a drain?
Hydrogen peroxide can sometimes be used to break down organic material, but it’s less effective than other methods like vinegar and baking soda. Use hydrogen peroxide sparingly.

By following these simple steps and utilizing alternative DIY cleaners, you can keep your drains clear and free of clogs while avoiding harsh chemicals. Regular maintenance and the occasional homemade drain cleaning can help you tackle minor clogs before they become bigger problems.