Two of the most effective ingredients for unclogging a sink are baking soda and vinegar. The reason is because they create a chemical reaction that can break down even the most stubborn clogs.
Baking soda and vinegar are non-toxic and dissolve hard deposits like soap scum, grease, and food residue that can build up in your drain. They can also kill bacteria and cut through grime, making them the best natural drain cleaners available. Blocked drain(s) in Melbourne are more common than people realize, so knowing what to do will save time and money.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a popular ingredient in many recipes. It’s used in baking as a leavening agent to help make baked goods rise and become light, fluffy, and airy.
When paired with vinegar, it’s also an effective drain cleaner. When it’s poured down the drain and left to sit for about half an hour, it creates a chemical reaction that loosens and removes clogs from your pipes.
Another method is to use a combination of baking soda and salt. Unlike the other two, this one requires a bit more time to work — overnight is best.
The two combine to create a very aggressive chemical reaction that can unclog bathroom sink stoppages caused by soap scum or greasy buildup, Jackson says. The mixture can also be used to clear other clogs, too.
Vinegar
Vinegar, which can be made from any fruit juice or other liquid that can be fermented, has been a staple of human life for millennia. It’s a food preservation agent, a medicine, a preservative, and a drink to boost strength.
Aside from its culinary role, vinegar is also a household cleaner that can be found in most homes. It is known to dissolve hard deposits, kill harmful bacteria, and cut through grime.
It’s also an effective drain unclogger. Jackson says it works by dissolving fatty deposits that build up on the inside of your pipes, restricting water flow.
This is one of the easiest, most natural ways to clean a sink drain. Just add a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar to your clogged drain. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then pour boiling water in to flush out the baking soda and vinegar. Repeat this process a few times if needed to get rid of your clog.
Boiling Water
If you’re having a tough time getting your sink drain to unclog, boiling water may be the best ingredient to use. It can easily melt soap scum, dissolve grime, and even loosen solids that could be clogging your drain.
Before trying this tip, make sure your kitchen sink or bathroom sink is empty. That’s because you’re going to need to pour the boiling water down your drain.
The boiling water will create bubbles that float up out of the sink as they heat up. The bubbles contain dissolved gases like hydrogen and oxygen that are created when a liquid changes phase.
However, it’s important to note that boiling water can damage pipes if they’re not rated for the water’s 212 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. This is especially true if your home has PVC or plastic pipes, according to plumber Mike Mushinski.
Dish Soap
Dish soap is a great cleaning ingredient for your sink, as it helps to cut through grease and remove food stains. It’s also a good choice for other surfaces, such as outdoor furniture and carpeting, where it can get rid of dirt, grime, and oil.
In addition to its cleaning abilities, dish soap can also be a great disinfectant. However, be aware that many dish soaps contain phosphates that are not eco friendly, so you may want to choose a non-phosphate product when it comes time to replace your standard soap.
Another alternative is to use a natural drain unclogger, such as baking soda. Composed of sodium carbonate, baking soda reacts with acid (vinegar) to create a chemical reaction that will help loosen and break up clogged drains.
